My Journey to Art

I can remember being about six years old and making my first attempts at drawing by looking at Charlie Brown cartoons and trying to reproduce them.  I drew Charlie Brown flying his kite and it was acceptable for one so young.

In 2nd grade I was friends with Carol Moody.  Carol could color so nicely and neatly, staying within the lines, crayon stokes smooth and even, and everything outlined in black.  I tried, but my pictures never came out as controlled and neat as hers.  Mine looked so sloppy and were discouraging.

I continued to doodle and draw, and my mother saw potential although I don’t know exactly when it was that I actually first considered being an artist.  I knew by the time I was in high school and could take art, that I had made the determination to make a career of art.  I would graduate high school then go to John Heron Art School in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Maybe become a commercial artist.

My high school art teacher was very encouraging of me in particular, although there were others in the class that I considered much more talented than I.  I later learned that his attention to me was due to the fact that I showed much more interest than the others.  Looking back, I suppose, being an art teacher, he could also see a potential of which I was unaware.  My art esteem wasn’t very high and remained low for many years later.

I was horrified and indignant when, after my freshman and sophomore years of art classes, the school cut art from the budget and cancelled the classes.  It just didn’t seem fair. 

Graduation came as did a fellow and then marriage and then babies.  John Heron Art School and my artistic aspirations as well as even more of my confidence dimmed and retreated, giving way to coping daily with life and it’s challenges.

Many years and another marriage later, an event occurred that dramatically changed my life.  I had experienced occasional surges of the need to paint, and would have a frenzy that produced a few works, then the surges would recede, again bowing to the demands of daily living as well as my belief that I wasn’t really that good and was indeed merely a “dabbler”.  Then the change occurred.  One evening I went upstairs to wake my husband after his long stay in the hospital battling leukemia.  He wouldn’t wake up; he was no longer of this world.

I thought he took my life with him when he went, and for a time he did.  But it was given back to me and with it came many changes and gifts.  The greatest gift was the surge for art that has never again receded.  The passion for painting would no longer be denied and has wonderfully asserted itself in my life.  Along the way of my new, artful path, I have been so gratified and nurtured by the kindnesses and support I have received for my art.  I have met many art angels in the past few years that have given me great encouragement and helped to bolster my self esteem as an artist. 

So, here I am.  Many paintings later, with my art on many places on the web and with my own art business venture. 

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My Accomplishments:

My first award for art came when I was in high school.  The local women’s club sponsored a two week scholarship to allow a chosen art student to study under art professors at Allerton Park at Monticello, Illinois, which is an extension and retreat of the University of Illinois.  I was awarded this wonderful scholarship.

Two of my works won second place at the King County Fair in Washington State.

I have sold various works, the most recent being a commissioned piece, “Bengal Cats”.

I received a personal invitation to participate in the 2008 Red Cross of The Hague Exhibition. 

My art is displayed on Art Auction Worldwide, ArtWanted.com, RedBubble.com, Saatchi Online Gallery, Francopats.com, Yuwie.com, RFN.com, Zubby.com, and Narple.com

I am the proprietor of "A. Jill Gaebel Fine Art," a business established for the sale of my original art as well as art apparel to individuals, shops, and organizations.

"I no longer call myself a dabbler.  I am an artist!"

© www.ajillart.com 2008