Marie Sardalla-Davis

All the other flowers have peaked, but we're popping out multiple blossoms like a floribunda. This is what I'd tell my 20-something stay-at-home mom self.  "Is this all there is?" my 20-something self had asked, staring at the dirty laundry. Little did I know!

"Am I all washed up?" my 44-year-old self had lamented, driving home after losing my job as a well paid speech writer and editor.

"How did I live this long and not know I could do this?" I ask my 49-year-old self almost daily.

After being unchained from my desk and adjusting our lifestyle so we could live on just my husband's income, I focused on becoming the best ballroom dance teacher and choreographer I could be. It had been my evening job for two years prior.  To save on costumes for annual performances, I design and sew my and my partner's costumes from thrift store finds. I have never taken a sewing class and still don't own a machine. Everything is handsewn. To think I hated my home economics classes!

I really enjoy the challenge of reinventing clothing discards. They've been dismissed as has-beens—we have that in common. I see a has-been as a will-be, waiting for someone to see the beauty it can be. This passion led me to open an etsy shop of upcycled women's clothing. I haven't bought any new clothes for myself in three years, but my dance students often express astonished delight at what I wear. I plan to sew a series of prayer flags and chuppahs, too. 

My Facebook business page and blog are a way for me to brighten someone's moment with whimsy or cause them to notice something meaningful. It's amazing and so gratifying to have the opportunity to encourage someone I have never met in person. This month I began to widen my local circle of encouragement by training to be a yoga teacher specializing in baby boomer health needs.

Blooming late means I have the luxury of focusing on my husband, our Maine Coon cat, and me. Our three daughters are grown and well adjusted, and we have two grandsons to enjoy. 

I think back and chuckle that back when I worked at a desk, I was denied a three percent raise because, as the temporary vice president put it, "All she does is write." She may have been right at the time, but she isn't now.

You can watch a video of one of my dance performances at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEqRM0uWjcI.

I blog at Scrollwork: Quirkyisms from a Tropical Transplant at www.scrollwork.blogspot.com

My upcycled wearable art shop is Swoosh by Scrollwork at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SwooshbyScrollwork

Come get your daily quirky at http://www.facebook.com/ShopatSwoosh

Thank you for this opportunity to tell my story, Teresa!

thanks for listening

I will  spare you all of my long sentimental emotions in this post to simply assure you that I am learning to trust in the Universe.  Letting go is probably one of  my hardest lessons ever  to learn .  Yet within the last few years it has been one of the easiest changes  to implement.  Being consistent with it is still a work in progress.  Confusing, huh?   For most of my adult life I have been a goal setter, making a plan and working the plan.  Writing out my 10 most important things to get done each day and then getting them done. Following all the steps to achieve my desired results.  Not too long ago  I realized that I am only responsible for my actions and once I have done all that I can do I have to release it.  And accept whatever results come my way.  This is what I have been experiencing with this blog.

Sharing stories of other creative Late Bloomers pulls on my heart strings. I simply LOVE sharing your stories.  I LOVE witnessing the friendships developed.   Magical things can happen when we let out creative spirits out to play.  Everyone has a story and it’s in telling your story that  you can encourage and inspire someone else.    Being a creative Late Bloomer is not about being a certain age or doing something totally magnificent.  It’s about finding your creative self, later in life, even in the simple things.  So for those of you who do not think your story matters I am here to tell you that is does.  Your creative story, large or small, does matter. 

As you are aware,  it’s been a little while since I have introduced a new creative Late Bloomer.   This is the part where “I will spare you all of my long sentimental emotions”.   I have avoided addressing it because I have felt  like I was let you guys down.  I know, I know... that sounds crazy!  It even sounds crazy as I write it but it is the way I have been feeling.   

As fate would have it, I happened upon Brene Brown on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday.  What she said impacted me and the way I had been feeling.  Once I openly admitted that to myself, thru journaling, I realize, once again that I had not been practicing  “letting  go and trusting”.  It is false to think that I am letting anyone down when the truth I merely in a lull to find stories to share.  Right?  I believe in the impact of your stories.  I believe  the stories are out there.  I believe they will be directed to me.  Just hang in there with me during this time.  And be ready for some awesome  stories to come your way.

Thanks for listening.

Thank You!

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!                              

I've heard "little whispers" since October 2011 and I didn't follow thru until 8 months later.   Since June 2012 I've had the privilege to host this site.  click here to read the details   Every Wednesday I introduce a story of a creative Late Bloomer.  There is no certain age for a creative Late Bloomer.  I simply ask if you believe the Wikipedia definition fits you - "a late blooming adult is a person who does not discover their talents and abilities until later than normally expected".  These stories are amazing!  These creative Late Bloomers are amazing!  I am blessed to have met each and everyone you and been able to share your story.  Friendships have been developed, threads have been weaved in and out of each others' lives and every week I witness encouragement and support that has filled my heart.  In April 2012 when this site only had a construction sign up I got a post, from Connie, that said, " I am writing to encourage you to get up and get going, because when you do, it is going to open you up to meeting so many wonderful creative women.  There is so much support out there and it is waiting."  That sentence of encouragement embodies what this site is all about.  Connie's encouragement was just the "little push" I needed.  

Your story may just be the "little push" that someone else needs. 
PLEASE allow me to share your story.

Every life has a story - tell yours

Every story has a lesson - learn from it

Carol Bray

 

From my earliest memories I was always drawing, painting and creating.

My mother eventually guided me to take home economic classes and I went on to pursue a degree in home economics education.  Family and life got in the way of my creativity until around 1986 when I took a basket weaving class.  I quickly became quite addictive to the entire weaving process.  So much so that I quit a teacher's aide position that I was currently employed in.  From 1987 until 1998 I traveled around the country doing art shows with my baskets.  Stenciling on baskets was quite popular and when I couldn't find the right stencil I wanted, I branched out and started painting freehand on my baskets.  I was amazed at what I was creating.  It got to the point where I all I wanted to do was to paint and not weave baskets any longer. 

In 2005, my husband retired and we started spending our winters in Florida.  We were staying at a great RV park that offered lots of activities.  I discovered that watercolor was being offered, but I had heard it was a very unforgiving medium and very hard to work with.  Finally around 2008 I got the courage to sign up for and invest in watercolors and I've never looked back.  I was drawn to it like a bee to honey.  All the classes were taught by volunteers in the park and I was mesmerized by all the wonderful techniques I was learning.  Just a few weeks ago I was one of the volunteers who taught a class on how to paint a red fox.  I couldn't find any information for me to learn how to paint one, so I just did my own from an actual photo.  It's one of my favorites and I named him Ever Watchful. 

My husband has been so very supportive of my art.  So much so that many nights we've eaten our meals on our lap while my paints and papers covered our small dining table in our RV.  I may be a late bloomer, but the one thing I'm enjoying is the fact that I can paint and create all I want and have no stress about it.  I just became Medicare eligible a few months ago and I figure any sales I make from my paintings is extra cash for traveling adventures.  I know so many younger artists feel more pressure to succeed at their art so they can make this their full time profession. 

My word of advice is to JUST DO IT!  That's what I did back in 1987 when I quit a job to pursue my dream and I have never regretted it.  Just remember, no one is ever to old to begin something new.  EVER!!

http://theredpaintedcottage.blogspot.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/brushstrokesandmore

https://www.facebook.com/theredpaintedcottage

Sounds like solid advice to me.  Come back Wednesday to read her story.

Joanie Springer

I have always been artsy craftsy, but an artist?  Hardly.  

My daughters laugh now in remembrance of how I drew 

stick figures on their lunch bags.

At age 54 I was dreaming of one day retiring and what that would look like.  Immediately I knew that I would take a painting class....to hold a brush was the dream.  Since I had chosen a career as an online entrepreneur there really was no retirement in clear view, and no pension as backup. So dream on, I told myself.

But I wrestled my way through all those negativities and decided to give myself "permission" to take a 4 week acrylic painting class through Park and Rec. dept.  It was magical from the first moment I dipped brush into paint, I was transformed by the experience.  And with my characteristic enthusiasm, I thought I better teach myself to draw, knowing that would make me a better painter.  I joined EveryDayMatters yahoogroup and started painting every day, many times a day.  I remember spending entire weekends just drawing every single model on every single page of my Vanity Fair magazine.  Simple outlines, contour drawings with a micron pen.  Eventually I bought some watercolors and was ecstatic to add color to my little ink drawings. 

One day I received an email from a fellow EDM artist and he commented that he liked my style!  I was over the moon....you mean I even have a style????  That was a boost to my confidence.  

The Love of drawing has stayed with me, and I often employ ink with my gouache paintings.  Which leads to....why gouache?  I went from acrylic

(too fast-drying and kills brushes), to watercolors (somewhat fussy and disliked preserving whites), to oils (smelly and messy), to watersoluble oils (still smelly, but less messy) and then discovered opaque watercolors...or gouache, and that was LOVE.  I now get to employ all my oil painting techniques with gouache and then I discovered that by waxing my paintings, I had a nice hard finish that rivaled oil paintings, too, and didn't require glass to display.  People look at my work now and think they are oils, that thrills me. All the opacity and elegance of oils with the ease and thrill of watercolor, finished off with that lovely organic wax sheen.   

I have declared 2013 My Year of Gouache...which means I intend to use it exclusively.  The more I stay with this media the more it teaches me.  All the media do that as well.  Gouache continues to thrill and inspire me.

So, I'm going to be 60 in September and these past 5+ years since I took that first painting class have been nothing short of awesome.  If the life we are given can be divided into three acts, my first act was a great childhood and lots of creativity - though music and theater were my creative outlet at the time, the second act (my 30s-50s) grueling and difficult - included schooling (B.A. and M.A.) divorce, single parenting, corporate jog, lifeohmygoshlife, not much time to create, and now that my third act has begun I'm creating anew.  And I feel like I'm making up for lost time.  I'm on my way to achieve a new late-in-life dream of being a full-time and self-supporting artist.  It is NEVER too late to dream our way into a new life. Is it easy?  Heck no, but no amount of hard work will keep me from my dream.  Meanwhile, I've begun teaching locally and privately and absolutely love sharing my art process and inspiring others.  As well I am creating tutorials that I will be offering online, too, so stay tuned!

Blessings and Gouache On!

Joanie

My Artist Statement:  http://www.artforthesoulofit.com/artist-statement/

My Website and Blog  http://www.ARTfortheSOULofit.com

I  send a Free Artsy News newsletter out weekly with lots of Art Tips.

All newsletter subscribers receive my FREE 32 page Apple With Spunk painting tutorial.  More info here:   http://www.artforthesoulofit.com/newsletter-sign-up/

reminder

Hmmmmm....I wonder why she says to call her Queenie?

I know how you can find out - come back on Wednesday to read her story.