A graphic artist for over 40 years, I have moved away from the computer and picked up a brush and pen and begun to paint from the heart. Every day is filled with stories. Sometimes there is one that longs to be told. I like to express many of these life episodes in ink doodles and watercolor splashes. The whole process is what I call, Following the Trail of Curiosity and Discovering Joy.

Something captivates my attention; it could be a sound, word, pattern, collection of colors, … just about anything. For example, the song of a bird outside my kitchen door reaches my ears. It is one that is not recognized, and I open my Merlin app to learn the owner of the sweet melody. That leads to more book and internet searching to see pictures and read about habits and history of the newly-found bird-love. I begin to notice the details that have drawn me in and make notes about them.

First two steps on the trail taken:

1. Notice and Observe; and

2. Research and Study. 

These kinds of things spark a delight and Joy within; that Joy being an awe and wonder of our Creator. These spirited explosions just have to be communicated.

The third step on this adventure is to express the discovered delight. Pencil sketching, ink drawing, watercolor washing begin. Oftentimes, looking for poetry, scripture, and other written words about my muse is interspersed within the whole process – my ultimate goal being to discover what characteristic of God is revealed in the captivating subject of my attention: and that is, The Story.

Following the Trail of Curiosity is my art-making process. It is just digging in and beginning, drawing upon what my heart holds, and expressing my Joy. My work is whimsical, colorful, and holds personal stories, rather like a diary. By sharing my work, I have discovered many pieces also hold stories that belong to viewers– sparks of happiness. I encourage these folks to do a little digging themselves, taking time to notice, be in awe, and express it!