Here it is Favorite Thing Saturday again. I thought of what I would put here today...and thought about a hobby that has lasted since the 1970's, when I took a painting class at our local college. That class led to many more classes. I was hooked and this began a( rest of my life) pleasure for me. I earned money to supplement our income in the early days...selling to shops and craft shows in our area. Sales at our house and the little Art Alley in Hampshire were so much fun. I've been in people's houses and I see something that I painted on their walls without us knowing each other before. A restaurant has my things on the walls. I have painted hundreds of saw blades. One year a man came to my door and told me he wanted me to paint his Santa sleighs for him. We had a little partnership where he would make the sleighs and Santa's, and I would paint them. Another fellow wanted me to paint a picture of his kid's house on a shingle...and that started a whole new thing. Shingles were collected from many old buildings in our town. I started painting nature on a shingle. Birds were a favorite of mine. I stopped painting for income, when I married Joe. I had a big inventory of painted teakettles, pans, saws, shingles left over. I was reading the paper and found that a little school in our area was having a big sale to help buy some equipment for the school, and they were looking for donations. I called them and they came and took the boxes of things for their sale.Now, I paint occasionally for myself...and friends. I paint on clocks for a fellow in Hampshire. He refurbishes the old clocks and I do decorative painting on them. It's a hobby now...one that I wish I could do more of, but my eyes are not as good as they used to be and they get tired easily...so I just paint for a little while. The picture above is my setup when I was painting a folk art creche on a triptych (three paneled board) for our former Priest.
I taught painting in my home for a while. Everyone that I taught went away feeling proud of their project. Anyone can paint...there are so many tricks and techniques in painting. If you ever feel that you would like to paint...take a class you'll love it.
Balisha
Join us at Claudia's
http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/
15 comments:
Balisha -- any chance of seeing some of your art? The variety of surfaces you used is amazing! I am still sort of a newbie at this art thing, but I am having so much fun doing it.
(And am only surfing blogs now because a) it's too dark to work and b) I need to figure out how to fix something.)
My mother was an artist, as is my little sister--I can't draw a straight line without a ruler. when my sister tore down the old house, next to the big house to add an addition, she kept several of the old siding boards and plans on painting a picture of the old house on one, as a memory to our ancestors.
Been painting my whole life!
You never cease to amaze me.
What a treasure of a hobby and what a wonderful donation the school received!! I'd love to see some of your work too! :)
Oh my
you are so talented.
I have always wanted to paint
but no time to fit it in.
I have wanted a small sign that says The Cottage to put on a stake as you approach my cottage. Someone on line was doing them
but - she said they would not do for outside..
I may see if I can find someone to make the small sign and I roughly
paint it.
Balisha, how very interesting! I'd love to see some photos of your creations. I'm glad you still paint when you can because I'm sure it gives you great pleasure.
Thanks so much for joining in this week!
xo
Claudia
What a nice hobby. I have always admired those who painted like you do. I would love to see your work. Please post some pictures. Have a lovely holiday.
That's such an encouraging post. I have often wished that I had taken 'art' in school, but at that time, only the really gifted artists were taking art classes - not just those who liked to doodle or might be interested in graphic design or whatnot. I've never taken a class because I think I still have that 'only artists can draw...or paint...etc.' :-) Maybe next time you can post your favorite painting!
What a great hobby/talent you have. I would love to be able to paint freely--- not yet there by any means. I guess a class or two wouldn't hurt me lol
big hugs,
Cheryl
Wow, sounds like one thing led to another, and another, and another! I hope you'll post some pics sometime of your art. It's really wonderful the way you would collaborate with others to create something beautiful!
I really have trouble getting around to visiting all the Favorites posts on the weekend. I love reading what all the bloggers are posting as their favorites. So, that being said, I will just take the time to thank you all for visiting. I know how busy you all are right now, and I really appreciate it..I will post some of my work...sometime after Christmas. Keep visiting...I think I may post one just before Christmas.
Hugs to all of you...
Balisha
How wonderful, it is amazing how something so fulfilling for you can start in such a simple way.
So often the things that just happen rather than the things we go searching for can b e so rewarding.
Interesting about painting on a shingle. I was at a garden show and a young woman was selling some slate shingles from an old house she had painted. The one I bought says "Joy be with you while you stay. Peace be with you on your way." There are pink roses in between the two thoughts. It has brought me moments of quiet happiness out on our patio.
I think of her often when I look at it and wonder how she if faring these days. My guess is some of the people who have your painted items wonder how you are when they look at them.
What a wonderful story... how a hobby turned into a successful stream of income and the very nice donation of painted items in the end surely helped the recipient.
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