Back to the Future

When I was in college studying for my BFA in painting, my professor threw it out there that women very rarely become full time artists because they end up getting married and having children. Oh great, thanks alot. But really, when the time came that’s what happened to me.

In the field of study I chose, I was able to do studio art, commercial art and art education. I had worked for a studio doing paste-up work on fashion catalogs and electronics magazines, so I had that knowledge. I liked the idea of art education, but hated the high school kids I did student teaching for. Real cocky kids, not my cup of tea. After I graduated I landed a full time position as a paste-up/layout artist where I stayed for a few years up until I had my first son.

Those days most women were still at home with the children and that’s what I did. Even if I had the idea to keep working there was no one I could trust to leave my son with, every family member I had was working. Let me say I was thrilled to be at home with him. No more jealous bosses, crazy co-workers and wild fashion magazine overtime. No thanks! I’ll take my chances being at home raising my kid. I marveled at how he grew and changed every day. We played, sang, took walks, drew pictures and it was all fun for me. When he slept I painted or did pastels, knit, sewed little outfits, cooked, cleaned, and did the things to keep the house. I ran the roost. I was the boss. My son was my side-kick, my little helper.

Art had to take a back seat like my professor said. Over the years I made my art in fits and starts, while my babies slept and later, when they were at school. And as the time passed the field of commercial art changed so much that I couldn’t go back. The paste-up artists’ bull pen had been reduced to one artist and the computer. I missed that boat. So it was back to painting.

Now I’m home having a ball watching my granddaughter. Thank goodness I’m an artist at home or I wouldn’t have this precious opportunity. I am back to the beginning, painting while baby sleeps! This time around I have more experience under my belt and I know how to get more art in. That great idea of twenty minutes of painting was unheard of in my college days, but now it’s how I roll. Twenty minutes is working. Even though I hit the brick wall of resistance a little bit ago, I’m back in it.

I am back to the future. Life is amazing.