It's a new season for me. A season for growing and stretching to be the very best in my world of art, trying new things, painting things that, in the past, I thought were too hard for me.
The first attempt at painting something out of my comfort zone earned an honorable mention ribbon in the last art exhibit. That really encouraged me to continue stretching to be the very best I can be.
Almost every place my husband and I go I'm looking with my artistic eye. I see a painting in a lobby and stand in front of it studying the technique and what the artist did to achieve things that I may not know. My husband will come and find me and ask what I'm doing. I say, "I'm taking a quick art lesson."
We built our last home in the country to be close to our family for this season of our lives. My husband made sure my art studio had lots of windows for natural light and a very quiet exhaust fan for my comfort and safety.
I'm taking longer to paint pictures out of my comfort zone; my medium is still oil. Although I've used other mediums, oil is still my favorite.
I like to paint many different things such as country scenes, quaint homes, mountains and portraits. But it seems horses are still my forte. Every horse I've ever painted was sold before the paint dried. I'm thankful for that; however, snow scenes are a close second favorite.
I tell people to enjoy whatever season of their life they're in. I say, "today will so be yesterday."
Do your best today.
I still play my 12-string guitar and sing at different places when invited. I sing songs that I write. I was honored to get a standing ovation when I played and sang in our state Capitol, but I'm still humbled when I sing at a small country church. God gives me the songs that I write. Since music is a form of art, I've been asked by Rick Jey to sing one of my songs when I'm a guest on Spotlight on the Arts on JCTV.
Last but not least, as the spokesperson for the Jefferson City Art Club, I want to tell everyone how great our art club really is. If anyone reading this column thinks they have any type of artistic abilities, I encourage them to join our art club. You will be welcomed with open arms and they will encourage you. They offer classes in sculpturing, metal art, glass art and many more. Gail Leivan is our current president and does a great job. They welcomed me when I joined and have encouraged me in many ways. I know they will welcome you as well.
I can be commissioned to paint just about anything you would want painted.
So, for now, carry on!
Do your best today, for our tomorrows are yet unknown.
Dianna Fowler is a local artist who serves as the spokesperson for the Jefferson City Art Club.