~ The Passionate Artist ~

"First Light"

(IN THE COLLECTION OF PRIVATE OWNER)

16 x 20 Oil on Canvas

Click on painting to enlarge

~ Experiences of My Life That Have Brought Me to Where I Am ~

I have been painting since I was a teenage girl. I started out painting watercolors accented with India ink. I was encouraged by my parents and my art teacher, Mr. Fred Bardelli, to mat them and try to sell them in the little dime store called Tabors in the small town of Wallace, Idaho, where my high school was located. I did, and they were displayed in the store window. I must say, I was a very proud young artist.

When I was 16 years old, my fiance' (yes, I realize I was too young to be engaged, but I was) of 18 years old was killed working in the Bunker Hill Mine near Kellogg, Idaho. He fell 350 feet down a 45 degree mine shaft. Kim Alan Karst lived for seven and a half hours, but never completely woke up. He died with me at his side around 7:00 AM on April 5, 1975. My reason for telling you this story is to tell you why for 2 years I painted on a 30 foot long, 10 foot high wall, pouring out all of the feelings of grief that a young girl can have and express at the tender age of 16. It was through painting this wall in intimate symbolism that I came to know that art would forever be a large part of my life. This wall, and the many tubes of paints that I used, along with the many paint brushes and palette knives, somehow gave me a reason to go on.

I was married in 1980, and my former husband and I had three beautiful children through the 1980's. We also lost three babies through miscarriages. Our children have been total blessings in my life. I managed to paint a bit through their growing up years, and I even sold a few oil paintings.

Through the years I have painted many pictures, most of them on canvas and some on watercolor paper. Painting has always been my number one love. As I already mentioned, I have sold a few paintings along the way, and have given several as gifts, mostly to my family (my sweet Momma has many of my paintings on her walls, and has always been a very avid fan).

I enjoy acrylics, and water color, but my favorite medium is, and most of my paintings have been done in oils. It is so forgiving and workable. I have painted landscapes, seascapes, still-life paintings, abstracts, animals, and symbolic fantasy paintings. I have even tried my hand at portraiture painting. I also enjoy painting on glass with enamel paints. After I paint the glass, usually stemware, I bake it in the oven, and it is ready to be used as a wine or champagne glass.

I love art in all forms. I used to have a very small floral arrangement business. I used all silk and dried flowers, and loved decorating and arranging them in beautiful pots, and baskets, and whatever beautiful vessels I might happen upon, like elegant tea cups or beautifully painted canisters. I sold these pieces in my home, and at a few craft fairs. I used beautiful fabrics draped under the arrangements just right to showcase my intoxicating designs. I also designed clocks, and other wall hangings with my floral designs.

My youngest daughter became very ill in 1996. We almost lost her. Her kidneys were both functioning at below 10 percent each, and losing more function by the hour. I was told many facts that I would never have guessed I'd hear in my lifetime, including the fact that Kaylah was now in what they doctors called "End Stage Renal Disease". I was terrified. Needless to say, I set my artistic endeavors on the back burner to be by my baby Kaylah's side. My main mission in life instantly became to take care of her, and to be whatever she needed me to be, weather it be mommy, nurse, doctor, friend, shot giver, peritoneal dialysis performer, medicine giver, a hand to hold, a neck to squeeze, a guard at her door to keep germs or noise out, or just a non-judgmental and unconditionally loving Mama to express her pain, and hurt, and bewilderment to. My other two children, Chris and Sarah had to brave a lot of time together at home alone with their Dad, (who was at the time a very active alcoholic, not not very able to give emotional support) as I spent so much time and attention in the battle to keep their sister Kaylah alive in the hospital. Kaylah did finally, after a period of time, get through that time on the precarious edge of life and death. When Kaylah was finally well enough to receive an new kidney a year later, she finally got a kidney transplant. Kaylah still has many medical problems, and will for the rest of her life. One day she will need another transplant. Kaylah is now thriving, and is living her life to the fullest that she is able to. I am so proud of her, and so proud of her brother Chris, and her sister Sarah for getting through all of this together. I am so very grateful to my God for seeing all of us through this time, and for sparing Kaylah's life.

My children are all three grown and are very involved with their own lives. I have a lot more time now to work on my art, my painting, jewelry making, polymer clay, my photography, glass painting, and my many other interests, and I take much joy in doing so.

I feel that my artwork...especially my paintings are going to be going in a new and exciting direction. I am finding that I have a strong desire to express my deep emotions in a way that I have only begun to. My painting called "Spiritual Love" is a good example of the direction I expect to be going in. Look for more work like this from me in the coming future.

Thank you for being here. Please enjoy.

Sincerely, and with love, Cindy

~ The Passionate Artist ~

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~ Experiences of My Life That Have Brought Me to Where I Am ~

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