If we are lucky, as we travel the path of Life, we intersect with special people who are meant to mentor and inspire us. When I was in 7th grade, 12 years old, I had an art teacher who I am sure changed the course of my life. She recognized my talent, plucked me from shy obscurity in the back of the class, and told me that I was an artist. We cannot possibly overestimate the power of a mentor choosing to support a talented young person.
I had always been an artist of course. I was the one drawing on the back of my math homework, drawing in the borders of my cursive writing pad, overjoyed on the rare days we went to the art room in elementary school. But…I did not think of myself as an artist until she told me so.
Later that year I got a copy of “The Agony and the Ecstasy” – the fictionalized biography of Michelangelo – and I read it until the cover fell off and the pages fell out. Then I did the same thing to a copy of “Lust for Life”. (About Van Gogh) That year, at Christmas, I got a set of oil paints. I was in Heaven! (see photo above)
Years later, I encountered Bob Ross on PBS. He assured me, in warm honey tones, that I too could be a painter. You see, I had forgotten that I was an artist, and that I loved to paint. I watched Bob every day for a year, until I finally went out and got another set of oil paints. I found a weekly group that painted from a live model. There I met other artists, and we went out plein air painting in the mountains, in the Iris gardens of Boulder, and in farmlands of Colorado. I took master classes with a classical oil portrait painter, and with another impressionist painter who taught me to see color.
(See the new Bob Ross licensed collection here.)
Even though I never met Bob Ross in person, I felt like I knew him. He was such a gentle soul, and he reminded me of what it was to feel the joy of making a piece of art. Fortunately I was able to thank my 7th grade art teacher for being my mentor, as I went off to college at 17. She said…all I ask is that you do the same for someone else someday. And so I have, when I teach, lecture, sponsor, curate, jury or purchase…I am carrying on the joy of mentorship that was gifted to me so many years ago.
I’d like to express my gratitude to the International Quilt Museum, and the artists who contributed their work, for the exhibit I curated – “For the Love of Gaia” – which closes today. It has been an honor to work with all of you, and our exhibit’s next venue is being planned now.
Our creative work is a healing balm for the soul in these challenging times, but even now as we see light at the end of the tunnel, it is so important that we continue to support and inspire one another. We are so lucky to have the quilting community to nurture our creative souls throughout 2020, and I can’t wait to see you all again. We do hope that our fabrics have brought some color and joy to you over the last 8 months while we collectively made a stand (and millions of facemasks!) against Covid.
with hope for the future…
Luana and Paul
