Thank you to Cynthia Houston ~ artist, writer, and July's guest blogger in my 2025 "Celebrating Creativity" challenge. - JHR
When I was three years old, I painted a self-portrait with watercolor paints. It depicted my face with a round sun above my head. My mother was so proud of me that she framed my painting, but she had to cut the top half of the sun off to fit it in the frame. She said I cried for days because I thought she had ruined my sunshine. When I was four, my father taught me to color within the lines in my coloring book. Art became a part of me early in life.
Art was my favorite class in school. I took a multi-medium art class in junior high and was selected to create the letterhead for our school newsletter. I thought I wanted to be an artist when I grew up, but my high school counselor directed me to take typing and shorthand classes to prepare for a career as a secretary, as it was deemed unrealistic to pursue art. My parents agreed, and the four years of art classes I had scheduled became just one multi-medium class in high school.
My favorite medium has always been pencil, and through the years I've completed many sketches, not for display but just for fun.
Above, from left: "Tree on Rocks" ~ 2006; "Left Hand" ~ 2006; "Tree on Cliff" ~ 2006.
Many of my sketches of who-knows-what are stashed away in tablets and drawing books somewhere. Others, like these all-time favorites of two of my kids (below), I know exactly where to find.
Now in retirement, I've begun to enjoy the process of creating through painting with acrylics.
In August 2022, my sister Linda flew from Idaho to Atlanta to visit for several days before we drove from my house in Georgia to see another sister in Virginia. While here, Linda expressed a desire to paint a Tuscany villa landscape together using a painting tutorial. I was intrigued and dubious but also excited, so I bought canvases, acrylic paints, and brushes. We spent all afternoon and evening for three days painting to finish the artwork before our trip, and we did it!
It was so much fun, even though I had no idea what I was doing despite following the directions of Jerry Yarnell on the tutorial DVD. Everything felt like a blur, and I was sure that what I was putting on the canvas was probably wrong. Linda was encouraging and very positive, and her own painting experience was undeniably helpful.
Now, Linda and I paint twice a week, on Mondays and Saturdays from 1:30 to 6:00 PM. We had such a good time with our first villa painting that we figured out a way to paint together while being in different states. We set up our easels with a canvas, paint palette, spritzing bottle, water cup, and brushes. Whoever is set up first calls the other, and we put our phones on speaker, our TVs on YouTube, and we paint while talking about whatever comes to mind. Sometimes we share photos to paint the same scene, and other times we paint something different.
We began by using tutorials, then followed artists painting on YouTube, and finally switched to using photos. We also tried a bit of plein air painting, which adds a lot of pressure due to the challenge of capturing the moments before the light shifts or the outdoor scene changes.
I have now been painting for almost three years, and my attitude has changed significantly. I am happy that my painting journey has begun to morph and grow into what I feel is my own style. I enjoy the fact that I can use creative license to make my paintings unique. Trying different types of paintings keeps things interesting and expands my artistic abilities, enhancing my overall experience.
To spark my creativity, I hike in the mountains and walk my dog in the park. The beauty of nature, the shapes of clouds, and the colors in the sky are all intriguing. The texture and individuality of trees, along with the hues and shapes of leaves, as well as the changing sunlight and shadows, inspire my desire to paint.
My favorite way to begin a painting is to let the sky and clouds emerge from the canvas with a variety of tints and brush strokes, often unfolding into wonderful surprises.
I feel the most creative whenever I enter my painting room and see my paintings hanging on the wall. I eat lunch and work out with my kettlebells in the same space, enjoying the opportunity to study my paintings. I recall the learning process behind each one and reflect on my emotional attachment to them, which inspires me to expand those feelings by creating new, similar experiences. Often, I feel the urge to paint while watching the mountains and scenic views in the ultra-running videos on YouTube that I enjoy.
The only thing that blocks my creativity is when I’m painting and whatever I am working on doesn’t quite look right or the colors aren’t what I envisioned. When it’s not immediately clear what I don’t like, I set the piece aside and work on a different painting. Going back to scrutinize the canvas later gives me a new perspective and fresh ideas.
I am currently looking for ways to share my paintings. I have sold one commissioned piece to a friend and have had two paintings displayed at The Art House in Acworth, where my first painting sold. The second one is currently on display. I am also planning to start my own website to showcase my work. Meanwhile, if you are interested in learning more, you can contact me at:
CynthiaHouston05@comcast.net
Painting has given me a tool to express my inner self and share more time with my sister, especially since we live so far apart. The happiness I have felt from painting is incredible. I have also learned to be patient and persistent, and to take criticism (sort of).
P.S. from Cynthia: Life is fun, fulfilling, and rewarding. Find something you love to do and make it happen.
P.S. from Jan: If YOU , dear reader, would like to share your own creative journey in a guest blog post, please contact me at jan@janheidrichrice.com. Subject line for your email: I CREATE!
