I retired in April 2017 and headed to England and France in September with my daughter. I have always loved Impressionistic paintings and while on the trip my passion turned into a blazing flame. Andrea and I strolled through art museums and saturated our souls with masterpieces painted in the 1800’s by Monet, Van Gogh, Manet, Pissarro, Renoir, Cezanne, and many more.
One rainy afternoon as we were floating down the Seine, we were offered a brief art class which I participated in wholeheartedly. The trip and the one-hour art class flipped my world upside down.
Within a few months, I was taking art classes four hours a week for almost a year and then moved on to more intensive three to four day workshops offered at Ontrack Studios in Franklin. My little art preoccupation turned into a costly investment and an absolute delight. Before my art class on the boat, I had never drawn or painted anything.
Retirement provided space to discover dormant creativity that was hidden from my awareness.
In faith I stepped out to start a delightful learning process that has grown into a multifaceted discovery.
I have attached a few paintings that are special to me, and by the way, they are for SALE framed or unframed.
MOVING ON TO CREATIVITY IN WRITING
I wrote two books while I was working full-time and started a Word Press blog site three years ago, but it has been impossible to make myself write consistently.
Writers write!
But I would not do it. There was nothing I could do go make myself WRITE–then came COVID. Once again I had lots of extra time to think and write. Without COVID coming along, I doubt I would have ever made myself write again.
Space and free time can open you up to creativity that moves in and takes over.
I have now made space to write for almost two hours a day everyday.
So the question is, what is dormant in your life–drawing, painting, writing, sewing, music, woodworking, refinishing furniture–any creative outlet?
If you HAVE wanted to do something forever, NOW IS YOUR TIME.
You are not too old, too sick, or too anything. Just make space in your life and GET STARTED.
I can’t believe my love of painting showed up so late in life–but it showed UP!!
Open yourself to interesting, challenging, amazing creative adventures and you will be amazed what God will do with your five loaves and two fish!
Should you be interested in one of my paintings, please contact me through my blog site at www.drbrendaramboauthor.com. I have many more paintings, and I would also be delighted to paint something special for you via a commissioned painting.
My paintings are in oil.
Happy creativity!!
this post has me in tears- I was a fine art major in college but God changed my path for 27 years- I am retiring from nursing in 4 weeks (nursing supervisor for school health working from home now). I was given an opportunity to travel to see the impressionist artists works as a graduation gift —- but my husband was fearful because he would not be there to protect me so he said no…. many times. I am also a writer – one novel done and started 4-5 times on the next one. but my yearning is to paint again. Thank you for your post. Tru Clem
You Need to start painting again
Mom, thank you for your encouragement to keep painting. It is so much fun to watch paint appear on the canvas. Thanks so much for reading posts. I love your participation. Brenda