Growing up, I loved anything related to arts and crafts, and I was the only one in my family with a passion for art.
I started off with different kinds of crafts, kids decorations and small art projects until I started attending some classes to expand my knowledge of techniques and different mediums. In a lot of my art, I draw inspiration from nature, landscapes and peaceful scenes. That doesn't stop me from pulling out the craft supplies and creating some fun kid art with my three children and the day care children I work with.
Even though I have dabbled in many art forms, such as watercolor, acrylics, colored pencil and many more, oil painting became a quick love when I first tried it here in Missouri. I have attended many classes with Janis Burgin at Hobby Lobby and have entered a few pieces into the Jefferson City Art Club show at Capital Arts Gallery. I continue to work in acrylics and watercolors in addition to oils, but the watercolors make art easier for a working mom.
Art allows "me time." I love doing arts and crafts with all the kiddos; art is an awesome way to bond with your children. But painting is a way for me to disconnect from the responsibilities of adulthood for a while.
I joke that even though painting is calm and relaxing, my obsessive-compulsive disorder kicks in and makes the process more stressful because I want it to turn out how I envision it.
Even though I have shared my love for arts and crafts by giving a lot of my projects away, I do have a website for commissions and custom projects. In the winter, my knitted items are very popular at Capital Arts Gallery and online.
I have always been a huge advocate for art in schools and in the home. All three of my children, who are between ages 2-7, do a form of art every day, whether it's coloring, doodling, gardening, cooking, music or anything else.
Since the start of the stay-at-home order, art has even been more important and essential to keep the entire family bonding, engaged, creative and making something to make the world beautiful. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to always find time to do what you love, because you can't take care of others without caring for yourself.
Danielle Ormesher is a native of Colorado Springs who now lives in California, Missouri, with her husband, Matt, and three children. She is active in the Jefferson City art scene and you can check out her work at Facebook.com/mambear515.art.