Week 6... How I fell in love with art

I never knew I was artistic. School was always my main focus, thanks to the never ending push from my mother. My schedule did not permit any extracurricular activities. I didn't sleep, I ate on the go, and I spent at least 8 hours a day studying. It was draining, and left me feeling empty. After I graduated from nursing school in 2006, the heavens opened and revealed a life full of possibilities and light.

I was introduced to scrapbooking by my best friend, Tricea, and while visiting Ali Edward's blog, I came across Tim Holtz and Kelly Rae Robert's links. I spent the next 3 hours drooling over their creativity, and vowed to give it a try. I went to YouTube searching for painting technique videos and came across Suzi Blu. My mixed media obsession was born... it was as though the lid from Pandora's box had swung open and I was a prisoner of it's power. I joined her ning network and started building my network of talented women, who gave me the support I needed to explore my creativity.

Photo & Painting by Suzi Blu

I must give Suzi Blu some serious credit. She is the mother of Mixed Media, as far as I'm concerned. She taught me the correct proportions of, and how to shade a face, how to word burn, how to add vintage texture to a background, and so much more. Anytime I have a question, I shoot her an email and by the end of the day I have a detailed answer, plus a little love from her dogs, Gigi and Finn. I can always count on her to have a funny video of her dogs on her blog, if I need a little pick-me-up, and some inspiration if I'm lacking. She is a kind and generous soul, one that's so important to beginning artists.

These great artists have paved the way for my success, and I'm eternally grateful.