Page 104 - Sorry, We're Not Hiring Any Visionaries Today

SORRY, WE’RE NOT HIRING ANY VISIONARIES TODAY
In my 20s, I learned how to do some painting on wooden objects with a friend of mine. It’s called tole painting. But I only thought of myself as an artist once I was in my 30s. Here’s how that started. I did a painting on a sweatshirt with my daughter. It was a mother-daughter project, and her teacher approached me and asked me if I would talk to her after the class. My art impressed her, and I was recruited by this teacher to paint murals all over three walls of her art room.
She gave me total free reign, and I decided to do biblical themes for the most part. But I also did a border of whimsical little children in various poses. At the same time, I had a terrible bout of plantar fasciitis in one of my heels, and I was having a hard time being as active as I used to be. I was spending a lot more time sitting. We had a sunroom at our house that lent itself to be a stu- dio, so I started painting there.
After this, I started painting on canvas and eventually sold two paintings on the same day. Both on the same day! I came away thinking I could do this for a living. I sold each one for a thousand dollars. One was to a friend who lived in California, and the other was to a local businessman. I was so thrilled about the two sales. Currently, I have over 120 canvases hanging on the walls of my home that I would like to sell. The pandemic was a time I was very prolific in the art realm. Art is a way to harness and express my feelings, to be in flow. I have several artists in my family background, and I feel connected to my grandmother and other ancestors when I paint.
I’m beyond retirement age, and that’s okay. I continue to chug along. I have continued to take on writing and editing projects for others, but I’m doing less and less of that. I have recently turned down several projects, but if it seems interesting to me, I will do it. I have been a ghostwriter, but I’m not keen on that role.
The self-publishing side has been a labour of love. It might have bought me a sandwich occasionally, but it’s not a substantial financial windfall. Focusing more on how many books I sell seems foolish, especially considering what I’ve invested.
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