A Postcard from Bridget in Scotland

Bridge over the River Ayr   
watercolour, gouache, pencil   
by Bridget Hunter

I was so pleased Bridget was able to take the time to paint this lovely postcard, as she’s in the final countdown completing 10 large landscapes that have to be delivered February 25 for an Exhibition in the historic artist town of Kirkcudbright.  I love the ethereal misty glow she has achieved here – she’s inspired me to give gouache a try.

Introducing Pat Reese

I have thought of myself as an artist all of my life.  However, I was taught from a very early age that what I did was just a hobby.  My family believed that the best thing for me was an education in any field that would earn an acceptable income.  They believed that art would never provide security of income.  I finished my education, started my career, married, and created a wonderful family.  Eventually, after my family was grown, I retired and started a new life.  I gave myself permission to do what I have always wanted.  I found artists that I had been following and appreciating, and took classes to learn their skills.  I was able to go to many colleges, schools, workshops and studios to gain skills I required to ‘create art’.  About 20 years ago I found that traveling, sketching and painting made me very happy, and I began my first journal.

I have owned a gallery, providing an opportunity for local artists to display and sell their artistic creations.  I have participated in competitions, sold paintings, taught art and craft classes.  My art has been displayed in many galleries and museums, and my art is owned by private and corporate collectors.  Now I have pulled back from the requirements of others and found that sketching plein air, walking with my dog and journaling what I see daily is what makes me very, very happy. I am reminded of a story of a new school teacher who was brought in by a secluded community to teach their children.  The teacher found that the children never ran or jumped or ever let their feet leave the ground.  She found that the adults had trained the children never to lift their feet from the ground because, as the story progresses, the towns people could fly, and if others knew their secret, the towns people would be judged and persecuted.   The quote from Marianne Williamson, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”, has become my motto for the last part of my life.

Through my blog, I found a group of like-minded artists who have brought a joy to my life that I didn't know was possible.  A little over a year ago, I found this wonderful group of artists, headed by Katherine Tyrrell, called Sketchercise.  With the support of this group of exercising artists, I have continued to exercise, lose weight and sketch daily.  The postcard exchange will be a great opportunity to see, firsthand, what each of our art really looks like in real life.