* * *







My journey towards art has been an interesting and exhilarating adventure. Thirteen years ago I began taking personal development courses where opportunities to be creative using a variety of visual art mediums were presented. I had not experienced coloring with crayons or working with clay since my elementary school years and I found as an adult I loved getting messy and applying vivid color to blank sheets of white paper. These activities, and some insights about how to express myself more fully were all I needed for a voice in the deep, dark recesses of my soul to begin to whisper in my ear.
  
Thus, at the seasoned age of 45, I paid heed to that voice and signed up at Studio 2880 for my first formal art course since high school. I was instantly hooked! I wanted to learn, experiment and explore these newly found delights. Consequently, since that first course five and a half years ago I have continued to take courses in a wide range of mediums and with instructors with varying styles. I have developed a genuine appreciation for a wide range of ways of creating and I fully celebrate the endless ways there are to imagine.

My art is without a doubt an expression of my soul. A mentor of mine, Dr. Bennett Wong states, "Passion is the pressure of the soul to be expressed." I resonate with that statement. Paintings continually seem to well up from a deep place within me. I approach painting in an explorative manner and the process, the experience, is paramount to me. I enjoy taking risks, testing my limits, and learning new ways to create. In the practice of creating a painting my entire being becomes consumed with color, texture and the desire to express.

One of my most heartfelt joys about painting is I share this creative process with my partner, Aubrey. He too expresses his creativity in many different ways including framing some of my work. Aubrey has been a huge support in helping me present my art to others and now is joining me in a year long art project about relationship _ "The Art of Soul/Full Relating" that was exhibited for the first time in June, 2006, at the Two Rivers Art Gallery in Prince George, BC

 
Thirteen years ago no one could have convinced me that I would one day be swirling paint on the canvas with many mottled paintbrushes in my hands, paint streaks in my hair, and tufts of paint grime on my shirtsleeves. I smile to myself and my heart fills with warmth and joy as I picture Aubrey and I growing old sharing our passion for creating together.

Sue Muirhead