Becoming an artist was not something that seemed available to me as I was growing up. Although I loved and admired paintings, it was evident to me from an early age that I had not been born with the talent to draw or paint. In an elementary school art class my poor drawing skills ended any thoughts of pursuing art. With my mother's encouragement, I made a few more attempts in high school and college taking drawing courses. These courses confirmed my lack of knowledge in drawing and I foolishly closed the door on art and turned a different direction.
It wasn't until the age of 34 when my three children were 10, 11 and 13 that I prayed a simple prayer like Jabez did in Chronicles 4:10. I asked that God use this housewife to touch people's lives in a positive way and show them the beauty in His world. You see I was shy and insecure and very uncomfortable speaking up in any situation. Even in bible study class I remained silent and preferred just to listen. I felt I had no talents or gifts to offer such an awesome God. Then I put my confidence in Him and let go of my fears and my desire to be in control. Serving God became my focus. and that was my prayer.
Within a month God began His plan to answer my prayer. While on a visit to Miami, I saw my first TV painting show. Watching a little German man complete a painting in 24 minutes amazed me. God planted His seed and a desire in my heart to learn to paint. I had never held a brush and didn't even know how to mix colors. I thought you had to be "born with talent" to be a painter. God brought that TV artist from California to Florida just so I would have an opportunity to take my first lessons in painting. I took three classes in three days and painted three paintings now God was working overtime on me.
Within just four months of my first three painting attempts, God opened another door for me to continue to learn. I joined a class at a local high school with a teacher that was trained by the TV artist. The girl who taught the class could paint beautifully but, had trouble teaching to others. I found myself in the back of the classroom helping students keep up. Since I had watched the techniques on TV, I knew what she was trying to do so I became the helper to all those in the class who were lost. When the instructor failed to show up two weeks in a row. God gave me a gentle nudge to become the teacher so we could paint on those nights.
With the student's encouragement to continue teaching, I went to the night school principal. With photos of all "12" paintings I had done and a copy of the teachers "Certificate" I had earned at the TV artists three day workshop, I asked to teach. Since the young girl taught beginners, the only class he could offer me was "Advanced Oil Painting". Now that may look like I had confidence but, if God had not been at work, it would have been insanity.
What you really need to understand is that I never ever once-NO-NOT ONCE, thought about painting or art during my prayer or before it. This was His plan, not mine. Within just five months of picking up a brush for the very first time, the popularity of my first class at the high school expanded to teaching at two more high schools then to three local art leagues. I even held night classes at the local junior college.
Just three lessons in three days and three paintings and I was teaching the first year. The second year I was offered a classroom and studio at a local art center. The third year God sent an entrepreneur to my front door that offered me my own nationwide television series on PBS.
Can you see God's plan for this quiet follower that loved Him and wanted to serve Him in anyway the He chose? He has allowed me to touch people's lives in a positive way through His gift of painting. He allowed me the opportunity to teach thousands in workshops in 30 different states and overseas. With God's help I have written eight oil painting books and filmed over 130 instructional TV painting shows. These shows have been viewed by tens of thousands of viewers for sixteen years. I receive mail from all over the country, from shut-ins, people in prison and wanna-be Rembrandts. Oh, how He blessed me and enlarged my territory. At first, all that was happening was bigger than my imagination could handle. But it was clear to me that it was God using and directing my path. There is no way I could have done any of this on my own. He gave me a family that supported me through it all. He not only answered my prayer - He surpassed it
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