Embracing my Artistic Abilities • by Lynn Richards
A Safe Haven with Art
Growing up in a crazy, dysfunctional, alcoholic home, I found places I could hide. From
a very early age, those places were my journal, God, and my grandmotherʼs home. My
grandmother was an art teacher in Carpinteria, California, and every summer we would
spend a week or so at her mobile home.
I can still close my eyes and feel the warmth and smell the deliciousness of scents
that I still connect with peace and calm. There was no drinking or fighting in her home.
Instead, there was clay and watercolors and paper and tools and Japanese brushes. There
were sun-filled days of learning to lay a wash, forming an animal from clay and learning
to glaze it, being taught to throw on a kick wheel, and feeling the heat of a kiln. There
were trips to the beach and the smell of lighter fluid used to get the tar off of our feet.
And quiet. So much quiet.
A Turning Point
My love of the scents of paper, clay, and paint followed me all my life. I found a safe
haven first in high school in the art room and later in the art room at Jr. College, where I
would lug 25 pounds of clay in at a time and lose all sense of time.
My mother demanded a career path from me somewhere during my second year
at the J.C. and I (of course) chose art. She immediately forbade the idea and tried to
push for a future in computers. This was a turning point in my life, one where I wished
I wasn’t the child in the family who kept the peace at any cost. Instead of rebelling and
telling my mother to take a hike and follow my passion, I took my utterly defeated self
out of school and found myself managing a bakery for a large grocery store chain. I was
all of 20 years old.
An Artist
During the next 30 years, a lot of growth occurred. I married, my husband and I found
Adult Children of Alcoholics, and I had a baby. I never gave up on art, but it wasn’t
my main pursuit. I had a second baby in my early thirties and she happened to come
to us with Down Syndrome. To say she has rocked our world for the better is an
understatement. Through both my children I have learned to pursue passion, to play, to
love unabashedly, to be determined. I have learned to slay some of my dragons, stand up
tall, embrace (some) imperfection, and to love with everything I have.
How have I done it, people ask me? At first I would say Jesus and therapy. Now I
say Jesus, therapy, and ART.
Today, I am staring down my 51st birthday, and I have fully embraced my artistic
abilities with the complete support of my husband and family. I am an artist. How could I
be anything else? It is in my genetics, in my blood. The life lessons I have learned and am
still learning come out on the canvas, begging to be told, craving to be heard by someone
else who might benefit from the message.
To learn more about Lynn Richards, visit alittlebluesky.blogspot.com.
OH yes, Lynn...you are an artist, and a creative, love-filled soul! It was wonderful learning more about you in this essay!
Posted by: Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces | 01/28/2013 at 08:05 AM
Lynn, Wonderful post!I loved reading this and learning more about you!Bravo to you and I loved that you've come round full circle to being an artist:) I've never heard your story and so glad I know it now!Your grandma sounds like she was/is terrific! Fran T xo
Posted by: FranT | 01/28/2013 at 08:52 AM
A standing ovation to you my friend. To embrace what is right and true and lovely in your being and let it shine through for the whole world to see is to live with passion. I love your blog, I love your art, your ramblings...why? the authenticity of you always shines through ... do you hear my clapping? love, t.xooxxoxo
Posted by: Theresa | 01/29/2013 at 10:28 AM
Just love this insight into your life, Lynn. Made my eyes tear up with joy for you! A few ladies in blogland are inspiring me to release the artist that is tucked away in me. I can't wait to explore what that means! I just know it will be wonderful!
Thanks for sharing from your heart.
Hugs,
Becky
Posted by: Becky | 01/29/2013 at 07:27 PM
I knew a little of your history, but I didn't know your "story". Now, when I see your art, I will think of a whole different Lynn, one who is like a bird set free from a cage.
No wonder I like you so much.
Posted by: Debbie | 01/30/2013 at 03:55 AM
Thank you for sharing your story, Lynn! You are such an inspiration!
xo A
Posted by: Anna | 01/30/2013 at 09:04 AM
Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging us to overcome the odds.
Posted by: Edwina Sutherland | 02/01/2013 at 09:10 AM