January 2025 Member of the Month

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I've always loved museums and appreciate art, but I never thought I could produce it (especially having a geeky technical background).  Then came the Covid lockdown, and out of boredom, I started drawing.  I continued drawing as a way to rehabilitate and recoordinate my right hand after spinal surgery.  I then discovered that Mooresville Arts offered drawing and painting classes, providing opportunities to interact and learn from other artists.

After taking some basic classes, I started experimenting in my tiny studio with charcoal, colored pencils, watercolor, oil, and acrylic.  I also joined a Plein air group to expand my experiences to outside the studio.  Online resources were also helpful.  I began selling oil and watercolor paintings and took on some commissions, too.

Next, by wonderfully crazy coincidence, I met an egg tempera master while volunteering at Mooresville Arts.  I had tried egg tempera myself before with disastrous results from my own ignorance, but my newly found superb teacher gave me proper advice and instruction. My interest in tempera reignited, and I just sold my first egg tempera painting! 

I’ve been a member of Mooresville Arts for several years now, helping with shows, being a docent, serving on the education and finance committees, and just having a good time here!  Art is the best retirement gig ever and Mooresville Arts is a great place to hang, learn, and contribute!