I am the southern born and bred child of Kansas transplanted parents. Therefore, I cannot claim being a “true Cajun”. I do not have a traditional accent, nor am I able to cook a roux (both are pre-requisites of being “Cajun”). However, I love the rich culture attached to my home state. I have lived in Louisiana more years than not. By living out-of-state I began to truly appreciate the color and pizzazz that this humid, southern climate has to offer. It certainly is not a perfect place…but I am proud to call it MY home. {Since writing the above paragraph, I have learned how to cook a roux! Yay!}
Art has been apart of my life since my first memories…I have always enjoyed being creative. The first time I really remember “drawing” something was with my 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Beeson. I was so focused on that art class as an 8-year-old. I remember where I was sitting in class, I remember specific instructions. I do not know if that “sad clown” I drew still exists, but that simple chalk drawing was the beginning of my love of art.
I laugh now, but in 5th grade I meticulously drew pictures of every child in my class. I am sure they all ended up in the trash, but I felt like that was a monumental task for me as a 10-year-old.
I did a lot of painting and drawing in high school. With a fellow artist, I even had the privilege of painting murals all over the school. I drew and painted as much as time would allow. Some day I will share with you about my first commissioned job…it was a doozie!
Moving on to college, I took as many art courses as I could. I discovered that “perspective drawing” is just not my thing. I got my first B in an art class, and I am pretty sure it about fried my brain that semester! I did not complain too much about my B, because it was truly a struggle for me!
During college I helped design and build several large scale sets for the stage. Since then, I have worked on countless Vacation Bible School sets and other performance sets.
After graduating college I was offered a position as an artist at Hobby Lobby Corporate in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. While working there, I entered a world of fun designing…the artists worked on stamps, stickers, metal shapes, headers, signs, scrapbook page designs. It was a dream job! I enjoyed every minute of it!
Then I had experience working for LamarGraphics designing billboards. I learned a lot during my time in this advertising business. I was trained how to see designs simply and build artwork quickly. Valuable skills for me!
Since then, I went back to school and was certified to teach elementary school. I taught both 4th and 5th grades. I also taught private group and private individual art lessons. I have held summer art camps and painted murals in more homes and buildings than I can keep track of any more!
I like so many of the visual arts, but some of my favorites are…watercolour and acrylic; painting murals (especially children’s murals); graphic arts; nature photography; cookie and cake decorating…
I love taking ordinary every day things and making them beautiful and unique.
“The things that make me different are the things that make me.”
So privileged to call you my friend! You are a TRUE artist! Love, Angela
Author
Angela,
Thank you so much! But you must know that I feel the same way about you! Your artwork has inspired me to keep working and trying! 🙂
So glad we became friends in college! 🙂
Great to learn more about you! 🙂 Luvs2TeachinCA
Author
Thank you, Karen! 🙂
It was kind of tricky to decide what to put online and what to leave “personal”. 🙂
Hope you are well!