The Process

The Clown Story

“Painting is a physical tribute, honoring the gifts that surround you and the life you’ve been given.  Art permits you to step out of the labyrinth and into your own private joy.”  Robert Genn

When I was in the second grade my teacher, Mrs. Potts, drew the picture of a beautiful clown.  He had large blue buttons and a bright red ruffle, and a pointed hat with a blue ball at the top.  His face was white with big red lips and cheeks, and dark circles painted around his eyes.

When Mrs. Potts finished the drawing, she hung her masterpiece in front of the class so we could draw one just like it.  I tried very hard to make the circles that seemed so easy to Mrs. Potts.  But when I finished a squished, cramped creature stared back at me from the page looking nothing like it was supposed to.

The day the teacher drew the clown I thought, “This time I’m going to get approval for “my art,” and in the confusion when everyone was leaving school for the day I stole Mrs. Potts picture.

I took the drawing home and showed it to Mom and said, “Look at my clown.”  Mom’s mouth opened in surprise and delight.  “Oh, Cindy, did you draw this?” she asked with reverence and awe.

I nodded my head, “Yes,” without saying it.  (Was that a lie?)

I was, at last, the talented daughter she expected.

Mom was thrilled with my clown.  She went right out and bought a frame and put the picture on my wall. [click to continue…]

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Church According To Cynthia

Mt. Carmel Church

Available in prints and cards here.


“Only he can be an artist who has a religion all his own.

An original way of viewing infinity.”

– Vincent Van Gogh -

 

I asked my husband, Wyn, what he thought I should do with myself.  I have so many things I could do, but I am 64.  I want something to involve me at my deepest level.  There is no time to waste.  Without a moments hesitation he said, “Paint.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because you’re happy when you paint.”

What a surprise.  I thought he would say, “Find a job.”

That night I went to a birthday party for my friend, Jill André.  While talking to several people there, who were also trying to figure out what to do with themselves – all of us were about the same age – I mentioned I was thinking of making a commitment to painting.  They wanted to know what I liked to paint and I told them I had two paintings in Jill’s house.  Before I knew it there were six of us standing around my paintings in Jill’s bedroom. [click to continue…]

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