My Journey as a ROSE Painter

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all staying warm and cozy in your homes.

We just got about 3-4 inches of snow yesterday and the

blanket of white is always so calming and pretty.

I stayed in yesterday and had this

idea brewing about sharing how my journey

as an artist began.  I cannot remember if I ever

gave a detailed account while blogging.

It is an amazing testimony to GOD, how he Knows the

deepest desires of our hearts, even when we ourselves

do not always find it, right away.

 

*****

 

In the Fall of 1998, my daughter was in 1st grade. 
God brought a dear friend into my life then. 
She was looking for someone

who could help her with creating something that would

be auctioned off at the yearly school fundraiser.

I had NEVER done something like this but knew it

was probably something I could do if I had clear direction.

So...I told her I would give it a try.

We ended up deciding on a Bookshelf and child's chair

to do up for this event.

Having NEVER, painted on furniture, I

jumped in feet first.  We painted them an off white and

then I mimiced swirly roses I had see.  We both loved the look.

That was my very first attempt to painting a rose

and furniture.

 

Also, around this time it became evident, at 39 that

I was going to need a hysterectomy.  A very painful reminder

that I could not have any more children. 

 I knew I was so blessed to have the one child I had. 

Yet, that does not make this type of decision any easier.

But GOD always sees the bigger picture.

In the midst of this, Donna Dewberry had been promoting

her One Step painting.  It really intrigued me.  I got a few of her

practice cards and books...and shall we say the

REST IS HISTORY?

 

As you can see by my first 5 pictures, I painted on just

about anything that would not move. I practices, and practices and

practices some more.  I look back now and

know I still needed to master blending of paints,

finer touches and detailing of painting. 

But I was Determine.

I know now, that GOD poured this desire, passion and

love of painting into my sorrowful grieving heart. 

It became a healing balm to me. 

I was so blessed by friends also who encourage me

to move forward.  I lacked self-confidence.  GOD also

used this to grow that confidence and

bring me closer to Him. and to quit

worrying about what others thought.

My sweet hubby was also such a great support as well.  He

bought me a large drafting type table and allowed me to

take over one of the rooms we had in our home.

Before long, I had courage enough to try putting my things

in a local Antique/Craft Mall.  I enjoyed having

others see what I had painted and created...

and relished in the fact that they would buy them.

 

Then in the early 2000's, a neighbor actually introduced

me to ebay.  She took a few of my items and sold them, to

show me that there was a market for hand painted items.

I did not jump on ebay right away,

probably because of fear of the unknown. 

It was actually happened because my dear friends

daughter encouraged her mother and I too

take over her account.  We became *2chicFriends* and

trail blazed our way through learning the ebay system of

auctioning off our wares, she in vintage and antiques,

me in my hand painted and crafted items.

 

Then in the mid 2000's I began to slowly sell my things

by myself on ebay. 

I even got brave and joined some of the groups.

  I met some dear amazing women, who like me were

wanting to be at home, yet have a way to bring in some

extra income.  Many of those ladies have become

dear friends, even though the groups are no longer there.

I sell now sporatically on ebay.

As I took pictures, I wanted to show you how my rose has

changed and morphed.  I tried different techniques and devoured

other styles.  Over time, I began to created a more

signature style of rose, that many of my friends

call *fluffy* sweet roses.

I still use the One Step techniques, but now have

refined them to suit the roses I paint.

Today, after having my items in a brick and mortar store,

on ebay and now my new home etsy, I have settled into

what I believe has been the most rewarding venture

God could have taken me through.  I learned and

have grown so much through the years. 

I have been blessed with friends internationally,

as well as all over the US.  Many have shared with me

how what I do touches their life.  What greater

reward in life, than to touch others in a positive way?

One of the most awesome things is how

the internet has connect the world to all us

like minded artist.  Who knew?

A funny little side note...before I painted roses, I actually

had dabbled in making clay roses.  Before my hubby and I had

moved to Michigan, as a young mom, I was drawn to roses

and made many items, way back then that I sold, most

pieces were jewelry.  I dabbled here and there with them by

adding them to a few items I sold. 

Then a few years ago, I saw another

ebay gal who made amazing roses.

I reached out to her and realized that I could make

these and sell them as well.  Again, with the

encouragement of many dear friends I put them

out in my etsy shoppe.  They have become

some of my most steady selling items, espcially

my Rose Pushpins on thumbtacks...another

idea from a sweet ebay friend.

What amazes me the most is how I can take individual

items and mesh them all together.  Whether it is a stroke

of paint on a canvas, clay roses adorning a birdhouse or

paper, glitter and other items I may use,

it still gives me a thrill to create!

God HAS filled my life with creative beauty. 

Something that overflows and is a part now of who I am. 

 It has brought a contentment and peace that I never dreamed possible.

When life and its struggles surround,

I am always at peace when I can go into my studio and create.

 

As you can see by my pictures, it takes practice,

determination, faith and willingness to grow. 

I did not start out mastering  painting a rose.  

My roses developed, as I grew as a person and an artist. 

Bottom line...All In GOD's time.

 

I often tell others, it is never too late to do what you love.

It took me to my 40's to really find my passions work.

Raising my daughter was always my number

one greatest joy. 

But I will be eternally grateful to my LORD,

who he cared for my grieving heart and gave me a

passion to paint and create!

 

I hope I have inspired you to find what your passion is!

 

Be Blessed!

Lorena