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!!

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