Memories Growing up with an Artist Mother

I grew up with fine art on our walls, some of them were painted by my mother. Though she created her oil paintings before I was born, I still remember her creativity growing up. I remember mostly her beautiful handwriting and calligraphy as well as other simple drawings she would make. My mother was always encouraging us to create and there were always plenty of art supplies in our home. All of us 5 kids took some artform throughout Junior High and High School – band, orchestra, visual art choir and theatre. She was definitely a positive influence in providing an education in the arts for all of us and for that I will be forever grateful.

These are two of my mother’s oil paintings that still hang in my parent’s home where I grew up. She was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas near the ocean. I remember summer trips to see our grandparents and playing at the beach for hours. I have fond memories of the salty air and sand in my toes. I love how she captured the deep turquoise waves, the beautiful sand doons and the faint gulls in the distance…you can almost hear them.