For the Love of Art



When I grew up we never had to lock our house at night. In the summer we played outside all day, riding our bikes and catching lightning bugs in a jar. When it was really hot, a gang of us would head to the swimming hole and take a dip in the cool water. A few of us were brave enough to take the dare, climbing up the slippery bank, grabing ahold of the rope overhead, and swinging into the deepest part of the Mahantango Creek. Those were the days. Our parents weren't concerned about where we were because the neighborhood was safe and everyone looked out for each other.

"The Carefee Days of Summer"
This portrait was commissioned by
Dr. Carole Patton
Millersburg, Pa.
Copyright © Wiseman Graphics



"Crayfish Creek"
 commissioned by
Dr. Carole Patton
Millersburg, Pa
Copyright © Wiseman Graphics

 It was common practice for our parents to leave the keys in the ignition of the car until we became teenagers. Earning the right to drive came with rules. My Dad made me paralell park between two large garbage cans until I could do it without knocking both of them over; a skill I found very useful when I headed off to Art School in the city of York.

Leaving the country life as I knew it was one of the hardest things I ever did in my life.  The new sounds, the smells, the feeling of being closed in by a city busseling with traffic and people;  all for the love of art.  Never questioning my quest to fulfill a dream, I overcame each new fear with the determination to become an artist. Watching my father run a successful business taught me many things. One of them was hard work and determination are never easy, but it's always worth it.  The things you dream of don't usually get handed to you on a silver platter.  My pursuit didn't come without many obstacles.

Two weeks after I started classes at York Academy of Arts, my roomate and I were driving back to school after lunch when a small child ran into the side of my car.  Seeing her lifeless body lay in a pool of blood is an image only God could erase from my memory.  The five year old girl, who was known for darting in front of cars survived, but not without life long concequences. I eventually overcame the trauma by asking God to take away the nightmares that I suffered. I found strength in knowing that it simply wasn't my fault.

Art project deadlines soon had my attention and I was captivated by color theory, art history and anatomy.  Learning to draw an unclothed model was awkward at first. In time I didn't see a nude body, only form, light and shadow.

One day I noticed a very attractive man who never seemed to get over the fact that he was drawing a nude figure.  He managed to pull his easel into the corner of the room where he would hide behind his drawing and occasionally peek out to view the subject matter.  His conservative actions were not only amusing but attractive to me and it wasn't long till I discovered that he wasn't nearly as uncomfortable interacting with a clothed female.  He seemed more facinated by my artwork than I was. His art box was meticulously arranged and everything had it's place. Mine was a mess and even had a dent in the side of it from forcing it shut without making everything fit.

 It wasn't long till we discovered our shared passion for photography. We took advantage of every opportunity to leave the city and capture some good photos.  The only thing more fun than taking pictures was developing them in the dark room.  That is a story for another time. To read about how we moved back to the country read my blog titled, "Days with Tucker".

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Traces of Summer



Sunday Afternoon on the Back Porch


This old house has been a refuge for so many people over the years. I love it when my kids come home. Especially in the summer time. My daughter and son-in-law like to take time out of their busy lives to relax on the back porch with their dog. Porch sitting has been a family tradition in this family for many years. We live in a world of instant gratification.  Fast food, instant messaging and texting are changing our way of life. I for one will do everything I can to keep porch sitting a tradition that lives on in this family.


My mother enjoys a moment with nature



Slow down you move too fast, got to make the morning last.  I've been humming that song all day. In this fast paced world that we live in, it's easy to forget how life used to be before cell phones, instant messaging and television.  My grandparents wouldn't have known the first thing about using a computer or texting.  When ever we came to visit Grandma she would say, "You people are always in a hurry! Come and find a seat."

 


My family enjoying the late afternoon sunshine.

My Brother and Uncle Albert

My neices, the melon heads.

Jim Brown and my husband Jeff

 
Don't miss the life your dreaming of when it's right under your nose. We weren't designed to live at such a chaotic pace. Even Jesus took time to get away from the crowds of people that followed him. He knew where His strength came from. I have a little quote posted in my art studio.
"7 days without prayer makes one weak." I'll be the first to admit that I get into a routine that doesn't include prayer time. Even the good things in life can crowd out our good intentions. A book titled "The Tyranny of the Urgent" talks about how we shouldn't allow interruptions to dictate what we do all day. Just because the cell phone rings doesn't mean we have to drop what we're doing to answer it.

 I'm sure my Great Grandfather who lived in this same house many years ago spent many hours cutting down trees and chopping wood to keep his family warm. What would he say if I showed him a remote to light a fire place? And Grandma spent many days during the summer tending a garden and canning. I admire people who can nurture a garden. My first attempt at gardening was pitiful. I should have paid more attention to my Grandma.

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