The Artist

“Create something unique that didn’t exist before you made it, and show the world what you do.” Janessa Bookout

About eighteen months ago I started on a path to learn how to realistically sketch and paint landscapes or people even animals and, of course, flowers. My mother, who was an accomplished artist, often told me, “Oh Jeri, if you get into painting, it will bring you so much joy.”

After my mom passed last year, I boxed up her brushes and paints and brought them home. For years I just didn’t have time, I thought, to get into such a demanding hobby. Yet, I began to wonder more and more about the possibility of discovering joy inside that I would never know unless I pursued becoming an artist. 

Then like a little bit of magic an email appeared from Janessa Bookout, whom I had met a few years earlier at a women’s retreat. She knew I had written and published a book. She asked me if I could help her edit her soon-to-be released Artworkaholic, her life lessons for creating a successful career as an artist. From reading her book I realized that she was just the person I needed to help me fulfill my dreams. She told me that one of her goals was to start an art coaching business. I hired her to be my art coach and I became her first client. A win-win!  Janessa Bookout

One of the first things I learned from Janessa is that I have to motivate myself and be disciplined in order to make myself do the work. She told me that I will never have the time, unless I make the time. You also can’t wait until you feel like it.  She said that I have to set myself in motion and that momentum will get me somewhere better than where I am now. It’s forward motion that counts.

Through many weeks I practiced forward motion and what felt like backward motion. But I was not alone in my dark days. Just when I needed support Janessa was on zoom reminding me to remember my why for wanting to be an artist. She writes in her book, “An artist must be able to look within to discover their true identity. No one can tell an artist what to create, or who to be. An artist must be authentic to their true self.”

I was determined to discover more about my true identity, my authentic self with and through art. After our coaching sessions, I returned to sharpening my pencils, mixing paints and standing at the easel with my mother’s brush in hand. “Remember Jeri, you can always paint over it. Just let it happen. Cultivate the right side of the brain. Turn your sketch upside down. See the shapes,” Janessa told me.

The really cool thing is that Janessa shared with me that in the process of teaching me, she too was getting back to painting and being in her studio more. She was exploring on-line classes and found one she thought I would really enjoy, techniques for painting abstract portraits.  She was right!

I knew immediately who I wanted to try painting, Tina Turner. From my past blog post June 2023 you know how much I admire and adore her.

I decided on my reference photo and started by pencil sketching Tina utilizing the lessons I had learned about proportion, measuring, shadowing, and erasing A LOT!  After many days, I was satisfied with my sketch. Then I had to transfer, recreate the sketch onto my canvas.

I was with Tina for hours. I started to get excited about being with her instead of focusing so much on what I was doing that wasn’t working.  She inspired me. She was my muse. I wanted to paint her hair, her lips. I wanted to remember her big love and mesmerizing dance moves. I wanted to be grateful that she ever lived. One day when I was feeling particularly troubled about my painting, I asked her for help. I heard her say with her strong, confident voice, “Express yourself. Get on that stage and be you!”  After that I could feel her presence, her guidance, her encouragement. So, I had Janessa and I had Tina!

I continued trying to express myself and be me. Finally, I was done. I put my brush down and there was Tina on my canvas looking back at me. I was filled with joy.

“I am explaining how to be open to the unexpected. To access these possibilities, we need an open mind and receptive energy. Potential miracles are around every corner. So, I ask you to not only do the work, but have faith in the process and keep your eyes open along your path.”  Janessa Bookout