Meanderings: This is going to be a bit long
This blog is one-year old today. Amazing. Why did it take so long for me to begin blogging?
It was thirty-five years ago that I ended my years' long migration and settled in these north Georgia hills. The Academic Dean of Piedmont College had asked me to revive the school's then-defunct visual arts program and so began a bit of stability to my previous ten-years as a artist teacher roaming from school to school, idea to idea, attempting to find a place that fit.
Ten years later with the college's visual arts department thriving, it was time for the next leap--to begin my own art school for adults, a journey which deepened my inner conviction that every human being on earth is born individually unique, that the job of any teacher is to tap that uniqueness and give it substance for growth. (I have never believed very much in talent, but I strongly believe that each of us potentially is gifted in something, that we ourselves determine the destiny of that gift.)
Our school flourished for 24 years before the time arrived for me to retire into a newer life. Seven years prior to my retirement we merged the school into the Sautee Nacoochee Arts and Community Center's programming. That merging gave the school a place and potential environment in which to continue after I would retire.
I honestly thought teaching would end with retiring. Little did I know that I would discover the world of blogging and that it would become my next tutorial medium. And my honest intention was to devote my entire energies and attention to painting, but after a year of doing that I discovered the ole teacher wanting to get busy again.
So now I begin each day painting for three or four hours. Later in the day I work on my two weekly tutorials--one for Empty Easel, the other for my Compose blog. And the second Tuesday of every month, I meet with a select group of my former students which has officially become the Second Tuesday Art Guild. (More about this group in the Spring.) It has all fallen into place beautifully.
So for several years while most of you have been habitually blogging, I was totally unaware of such a world--a community. Unaware until early 2008 when I read about a daily painter called Juston Clayton whose blog led me to other painters and gave me the idea of using this medium for sharing images of my paintings. That was just a year ago, folks.
So for those of you who wondered where in the world this art tutor suddenly came from, now you know. While you were building your own identities as artist bloggers, I was, unknowingly, finding my way to the front door. And I must say that here I have met some of the finest and most interesting human beings on earth.
I enjoy sharing my work and my thoughts, but I treasure my visits to your world, watching each of you grow and sharing in your stories. May we all continue to grow into our individually unique voices while our friendships deepen and thrive.
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Dianne, I love the warmth that comes through in your writing. I look forward to each charming post. Grace, wisdom and generous spirit come through and all attached to beautiful work of art. One year of goodness, thank you.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogging anniversary, Dianne. May I say that you are a treasure in this community, and highly valued. Don't ever stop.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me look back to when I started and my first post was a year yesterday!
I love the blogging community. For those of us 'outside normal circles' its agreat way to get support from other artists and to see what is going on in the art world.
ReplyDeleteHere is to year 2!
Congratulations on the blog anniversary. And, thank you for blogging. It is a real pleasure to follow your blog and your art.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting through a year! Many there be many more. I am so thankful that you found the blogging world and have so selflessly joined it. I always look forward to your tutorials. Thank you for sharing so much...the internet is my only access to art education...I am indebted to folks like yourself.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
Congratulations on your blogging anniversary! I'm pleased I found your blog and have enjoyed it tremendously. We appreciate your generosity and sharing your knowledge with us.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogging anniversary Dianne. And thank you for being such an inspiration to newies like me who've had no art training. As Jo and Rose said, we really appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! You are a treasure to artists and bloggers.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting and amazing community to be sure. I'm thrilled to be your virtual neighbor. (I'm the one who shows up asking for a cup of sugar.) You contribute in many meaningful ways, sharing your work as a shining example of what happens when you immerse yourself in nature and are diligent about gaining understanding of what you see and what your materials can do to represent it. I appreciate every lesson and encouragement. Thanks for the sugar!
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ReplyDeleteThanks, kids. What a delightful way to start my web browsing this morning. Allow me to be lazy and address you all in a single reply:
ReplyDeleteAnd Tina, you always make the most gracious comments. Thanks.
Sharon, how about that. I've seen our paths parallel before.
Anita, I vote for year 2 as well. Year one seems like a mere introduction. Year two, I hope, will be a fleshing out.
Thanks Ana. I love following your blog, too.
Thanks, Rose. It's something I enjoy so much. What good is anything if it can't be shared.
Thanks, Jo. To me it's not so much generosity as it is touching base with humanity.
Thanks, Liz. The pleasure is all mine.
Hey Dar. Thanks. The sugar bag is never empty. (Ever notice you can't shake those things empty?)
I cherish your blog. Your generosity and wisdom are present in every post and that is quite simply ....priceless. Happy first blogging birthday Diane! Cheers:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday DianneMizeBlog! Diane, I stumbled over the blog threshold myself in early '08 and have really enjoyed it. Now am just hoping Facebook does not replace all the good stuff being blogged!
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