I discovered early on that I could draw well and gained satisfaction from making art. Although there were few art classes in my high school, I pursued art when I could and was chosen to be the artist for my high school yearbook.
Although I was channeled to attend a teacher’s college, I found it was not a good fit. When I eventually found art classes at Boston University School of Fine Arts, I pivoted and graduated with a B.F.A. in Art Education. After graduating I had an inkling of a vision for myself and realized that I was not motivated to get certified to teach.
My postgraduate “searching” led me to be presented with this idea from the Baha’i Faith:
Pursue your profession and calling in the world and the Arts and “Belles Lettres” will take care of themselves.
Reflecting on this, I took stock of my interest and abilities and was inspired to pursue Architecture. After more schooling I eventually got a job with an architecture firm where I was first a gopher, then a draftsman of perspectives, and ultimately a designer of single-family homes. I also made presentation drawings for the use of multi-family developers while working for the architecture firm for 30 years.
After I retired, reflecting on my experience at work, I recalled that idea about The Arts and “Belles Lettres “and came to understand that my professional service had developed in me an appreciation for the interconnectedness of life. This gave me incentive to find art in community. I looked at senior centers in towns in my area and found Lynnfield Senior Center has a lively, consistent Art group that is welcoming and encouraging. I also joined the Lynnfield Art Guild where I met a like-minded group of artists and participate in their activities and shows. I particularly enjoy watercolor painting in class and in “plein aire” (outdoors), finding locations I can interpret in watercolor. I also enjoy traveling in New England and frequently paint from my photographs, including from a family home in Maine. I enjoy doing original paintings which often include images of the people who are present.
