Sometimes it isn’t the obvious person who changes your life. Most people would say that it is usually the parents that have the biggest influence on a child. For me it was my second grade teacher Mrs. Bluestein. When I was cleaning out my parent’s house I came across a lot of papers. One was my second grade report card. My teacher had written across it “Take a look at her art!” They didn’t but with Mrs. Bluestein’s encouragement I dedicated myself to doing the best art I can.
I learned to read early and my favorite place to be was our library. There was a small science fiction/fantasy section and that started a life long love affair with the genre. I’m 71 now so this was way before the Star Trek, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings.
I became fascinated with science and especially astronomy. I fell in love with Saturn and its moons especially Titan and Enceladus. I was on line when Cassini made its last plunge into Saturn and yes I needed Kleenex.
It was in art that I found myself soaring. I do both graphic art on the computer and painting with acrylics. My brother and his wife sent me a set of watercolors and I want to explore that medium.
Sometimes it is little things like the encouragement of a loved teacher or a book on Japanese flower arranging that can influence an artist’s style. I find that I instinctively following the book’s placement of three levels heaven, earth, and man. I do near, medium, and far as well as left, center, and right.
I learned from Mrs. Bluestein how important it is to encourage children from a young age. I wasn’t able to have children so my mothering came in the form of my niece and her three children. I listened to them and encouraged them. This last Christmas saw me sitting on the ottoman with Tristen (my sailor) with his arm around me and Kayla (my scientist) with her head on my lap. It doesn’t matter that they are now adults. I still applaud their working to fulfill making their dreams come true.
I thank Mrs. Bluestein for encouraging me to reach for the stars and that I could be anything I wanted. One of the things I wanted was to be an artist. So for the memory of Mrs. Bluestein, for her love and encouragement, these are for you with my love.