Finding Art ... It’s Never Too Late • by Becca Smith

Las Vegas is a city that most people only think to vacation in, not a place to live or raise children in. I grew up here in this city, and now at 47, I’ve seen some pretty amazing changes over the years! One of the things I’ve learned is that “What Happens in Vegas doesn’t always Stay in Vegas,” as I am happy to share that I will be leaving Las Vegas for the first time, and moving to Seattle, Washington, in the spring!

My Mother the Seamstress
When I was in lower school here in Las Vegas, my mother, a stay-at-home mom, was a great seamstress and made a lot of my clothes. Once I was in high school, like most teenagers I wanted to buy the latest and greatest thing. However, being involved in choir, dance, and local beauty pageants, I did manage to still keep my mom busy at her sewing machine! I remember hearing the hum of mom’s 1970s Kenmore late into the night making pretty gowns for pageants or dresses for choir. When dad bought mom a newer, fancier sewing machine she passed on her old Kenmore to me.

If I have one regret it would be that I never found an interest in sewing when my mom was alive. I guess I was too busy playing the piano, dancing, singing, doing modeling gigs on the Las Vegas Strip, or whatever else life threw at me at the time. Sadly, my mom passed away when I was only 29. Losing my mom was so hard for me. When I purchased my first home here in Las Vegas I missed having my mom there to help me pick out colors for my home and just share the excitement with me. Then, in 2006 I got married for the first time at the late age of 41. It makes me so sad that mom never got to meet the love of my life ... I know she would have adored him!

Discovering Mixed-Media
My husband and I moved into a brand new house and I was excited to get the guest room ready for our first guest, Kelly, my cousin from Portland, Oregon. During Kelly’s visit I noticed a book she was reading and the bookmark inside. She had stamped an image on a manila tag, and sewed a piece of netting over part of it and stitched around the edges. Sewing on paper? I was so intrigued by this art form Kelly called “mixed-media.” Kelly gave me the bookmark and I still have it to this day in my studio, which still doubles as our guest room. After some encouragement and help from my friend Linda, I got out mom’s old Kenmore sewing machine and started stitching on paper. I loved the freeform feeling of not having to follow a pattern or stay within the lines. I knew then I was hooked and wanted more.

I started to buy rubber stamps, ink, paint, paper, fabric ... you name it, I was addicted! After creating my blog, Patina Moon, in 2009 I started to meet other artists online and the inspiration I got from them was tremendous! Now, I dabble in a bit of everything from mixed-media collages to soldered pendants and then photography became a huge interest and hobby for me! I wanted to photograph my artful creations in ways that would be memorable and appealing to the eye when people visited my blog.

I still miss my mom so much. I keep a favorite photo of her in my studio, and I think of her every time I sit down at my sewing machine or visit a fabric store. Even though I still don’t have much of an interest in sewing pretty prom dresses, I think my mom would be proud of the artsy, creative side I’ve now discovered about myself. Don’t you?

To learn more about Becca Smith, visit patinamoon.blogspot.com.

Comments

[Tracy]

Last year I met Becca via blogland and have found a wonderful friend in her! Learning of her creative and life background helped me know her better. :o) Lovely guest post!

[TexWisGirl]

adore you, becca! nice to see a bit further into your soul today. :)

[Corrine]

What a beautiful tribute to your Mom and all of her spirit that still lives in you. Your work and generosity inspires me every day. xox Corrine

[Pamela]

This was the most beautiful post Becca! I am so blessed to have met you!
You have an incredible, blessed life!! I so enjoyed hearing about some of your upbringing. Your mom sounds like she was quite the amazing woman!!
How we all wished we had a mom like this!
Pamela xo

[Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces]

I loved learning more about you, Becca, and your sweet mother...you are such a beautiful, creative person!

[Linda R]

Such a wonderful post my friend.. I think your Mom would be very proud of you!!

Hugs, Linda

[carlanda williamson]

i am so proud to call you my friend! your work is so beautiful and now i will have to miss you when you move away. hopefully, i won't be far behind you! i love what you wrote about your mom. let's do lunch again....soon! xo carlanda

[lorraine]

lovely tribute to your mum and you have such a lovely blog..I liked reading about your story

[Catherine]

Fantastic post Becca! I can feel the love you have for your mom. Beautiful! So wonderful to get to know more about you and looking forward to more.

Wishing you love!
xo Catherine

[Christina]

this is such a lovely post. i know your mama is looking down on you, and so proud of you. you have such a special place, in my heart my friend.
xoxo

[Evelyn in Oregon]

I bought a sewing machine at Wal Mart two years ago, with the idea of using it in my paper crafting. The machine is still in the box (I did take it out once to look at it!)....stored in a closet in the "spare" bathroom. My mother made virtually all of my clothes even through college ('61-'65), but I didn't do much sewing except garments with simple patterns and elastic waistbands. My mother is 91, and she now sews quilt pieces together---that's the extent of her sewing. The machine she bought in the 50's finally can't be repaired anymore, so she has her mother's machine!