My First Painting Teacher
Thank you to everyone who attended my show, “All That is Beautiful” last week . We had an overwhelming turnout of support. Folks came from near and far to see the work, visit, and many paintings went to their new homes! THANK YOU! Your support is truly the reason my paintings and teachings continue to grow today and will tomorrow. You are not separate from, but part of.
Carol (my first oil painting teacher from grade school years) and her husband Jim Schuster - Withrow Minnesota, acquired “Haybales” 11x14, oil on linen panel.
The farm down the road was our farm. Nearly 400 acres of fields, woods, ponds, and streams, and a meandering mile with the cattle across the field to Gramma’s house where frequently ‘ran away’ to. :) - I was warmly and sympathetically welcomed with a fresh hamburger (no bun) and sometimes a piece of pie. It was never a surprise when I walked through the door, as apparently her and my mom were in cahoots. This started when I was only five years old. I often think of my daily childhood wanderings and how safe and encompassed I felt meandering and exploring my way through the fields, stopping here and there, and sketching things I saw along the way.
I was in fourth grade now. Gramma played in a woman’s softball league in Withrow Minnesota, also the home of the my studio, St Croix River School of Painting, and home today. She played with a woman named Carol Schuster, who was an artist and taught oil painting classes on Monday evenings to some locals. Gramma told Carol about her Granddaughter and asked if she would take me in her classes. At first Carol explained she doesn’t teach children, just adults. My Gramma convincingly explained to her that “she’s not your usual kid” . . . and Carol said, “Well then, I don’t see why not?” So, it began. Monday evenings I would spend the next several years in her barn learning to paint by copying old wild life calendars and occasionally a photo I would take with my dad’s camera of our families land. Mindful to mention that each week, one of these ‘adults’ I painted with were to bring a dessert to share! Now we’re talking!
Last Saturday Carol and Jim came up with their son and daughter in law and were looking through my paintings. I watched them go through my unframed plein air pieces and saw her pick up “Haybales”. I yelped! “That’s your field!!! That is YOUR field!” Jim replied “Well I’ll be, I was just saying that could just as well be our field”. And indeed it was! I painted this piece about four years ago now and I was just noting how strange it was that I still had it, as it’s always been a favorite of mine. I told my friend just days earlier that I believe each painting finds its owner at the right time and eventually. It’s this magical mystery we can’t quite explain. “Haybales” was waiting for Carol and Jim to show up and take her home, and they did. Thank you to Carol for being the first of many teachers to give me a chance, and then delight in watching me grow.
I can’t help but think about all of those along the way, who helped this little awkward farm girl to become the painter and person I am today. And why, it truly is so much of my purpose and being to help others through teaching. So that anyone who has this little seed of a dream to paint, can. We don’t do this alone.
And thank YOU for being here! I appreciate YOU!
Warmly, Kami
