This is my journey, my path. I truly believe, if certain things didn't happen in my life (illness, divorce, job loss), I might not be doing this. But they did.

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I'm a little late to the game, reinventing myself at 50. But what I lack in experience, I make up for in determination and enthusiasm. I, like a lot of other artists, knew at a young age (started lessons at age eight!) that I wanted to do something in the arts. In college, my inner practical voice steered me into graphic design so that I could get a steady job when I graduated. Truth be told, I always loved typography and design—advertising, not so much. My favorite part about Tyler School of Art was the four hour drawing classes on Friday afternoons.

 

Working on the computer eight hours a day and raising my daughter and then two stepsons, I had no energy for ANY creativity AFTER work. I DID enjoy graphic design very much. Why wouldn't I? I got paid to take elements—shapes, type, colors, photos and play on the computer all day. To me, it WAS an art and I put my heart into everything I designed. But that door closed when our agency shut down in 2018 and here I am, thanks to the BEST husband ever, for letting me try this! I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

 

I wish I had taken painting in college. The only instruction I had was a couple weeks of intro classes at The Lancaster County Art Association—thirty years ago! Our kids moved out and we wanted to make nice guest rooms for when they came back to visit and we needed some art for the walls. I got out my old tackle box and THAT'S how all of this got started. I originally painted under the name, "Hermione Paints".

 

From 2019 -2021, I tried a lot of different outlets to sell my art. Because of my love for all things paper, I created greeting cards and giclée prints from my originals and tried renting a space at a cool maker's market (and then Covid happened), I had an Etsy shop, and I did a lot of commissioned portraits. I painted at least 85 paintings in three years.

 

2022 is what I call my "Life Happens" year—surgery, Covid, two weddings, and a funeral. I took a break, regrouped and decided that I am going to concentrate on my still lifes and selling original paintings. Trying to KISS. But when I have exhausted my current theme, I would really like to try some other styles.

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I know I don't have a typical path and formal instruction in painting. I wish I had, but this is my path, and it's where I'm at. I welcome constructive feedback. I know I have a lot to learn and intend to continue educating myself and trying new things.

 

The paintings are best seen in person, not online or on social media. The objects I paint are much larger than in life. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed creating them!