Old Crow Embellishments
I taught high school English for 37 years and had only a supportive role in Vicki’s career. When Vicki had a retail shop I pitched in and helped decorate and purchase merchandise. I enjoyed going to trade shows and was attracted to folk art. Being married to a decorative painter I was surrounded by raw wood and paint; occasionally I would wet a brush and attack the ever-growing mound of wood. I began by painting miniatures that we sold in Vicki’s shop. I expanded to bird houses, folk Santas, and arks which were also sold at craft shows. My time and focus with painting was very limited because of my teaching duties, but I found creative efforts very satisfying. When retirement approached I became a bit apprehensive about leaving my profession that had given me so much satisfaction. I had been told that a major difficulty was “identity crisis” after retirement. So I left school on Friday a retired teacher; on Saturday I was a “folk artist” and headed to Indianapolis with Vicki for the SDP convention for the first time as a participant.
My first year as a full time folk artist was spent relaxing and traveling. I have been painting, taking classes and exploring several styles and mediums. When teaching, I created paper collage pins for two years at holidays to give to my students and colleagues. Upon retirement, my pins were produced on the band saw and several shapes were hand carved. I have been in a monthly carving class and have made several small items for “show and tell.” In addition, I have been catching up on making Christmas tree ornaments for my three granddaughters and new grandson; incorporating my carving “skills.” My goal for their eighteenth birthdays is to hand over one ornament for each year.
After monitoring one of Vicki’s classes on keeping a painting journal, I began my own journal collecting ideas and making lists of project goals. At present I am continuing to allocate my time to relaxing and traveling, but year each year I find more time to paint and create from the pile of tin, wood and patterns I have amassed.
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