August Theme:
What did you create that really truly surprised you?
Did it affect the direction you now follow?
I wrote a short story based on an experience my father had in WWII. It won 1st Place in a city-wide short story contest which surprised me. I knew there were entries from established writers. The win was validation to continue to write. ~~ Marla Chisholm, Letters
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After two years of pouring out my heart in poetry and posting some of them on Facebook, a friend of mine, who is a publisher, said she wanted to publish a book of them. I was stunned and very excited by this offer. Until then I hadn’t thought of putting my poems in a book. I lost my husband in 2014 and at that time I had written some poetry but not very seriously. After he passed away I started writing every time I felt sad, which was frequently. When I posted on Facebook there were so many good comments. We needed photos for the book and my daughters and I had to look for them. I had not seen any since his passing. One surprising thing is that this book is a comfort to anyone who has lost their spouse. Some men have been comforted by it too. I began to write and publish poetry seriously after that. ~~ Barbara Ehrentreu, Letters
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I created five homes that were attractive, livable, comfortable and didn’t cost a fortune.
This achievement led me to being a Professional Interior Designer, which has provided a wonderful living for myself through the past 50 years. ~~ Lynn Garelick, Art
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Something I created that surprised me was a technical essay I ghost wrote on a scientific topic. It was extremely uninteresting to me but I did a good job. However, I hope not to encounter anything like that again! ~~ Stasha Healy, Letters
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When I moved to Rowayton, I immersed myself in the local art community by attending both Rowayton Art School and Silvermine Art School for many years. Each semester, I eagerly enrolled in a variety of classes at both schools, always excited to learn a new creative skill.
At Silvermine, I discovered the fascinating art of jewelry making. I learned how to design and cast jewelry, gaining experience with the chemicals, acids and specialized tools used in the process. One of my favorite creations is a ring that I still treasure today. I also created a beautiful enameled box that remains a special keepsake.
Another memorable experience was learning to dye silk scarves in brilliant colors. It was amazing to watch my own designs come to life as the dies spread across the fabric. I still have those scarves, and from time to time I take them out remember how much joy I found in creating them.
Silvermine also introduced me to remarkable instructors whose lessons have stayed with me throughout my artistic journey.
At Rowayton Art School, I studied with Dana Goodfellow and met Doris Mady in one of her classes. I later recruited both of them and encouraged them to join Pen Women. I also learned from many talented teachers who introduced me to further oil painting techniques, acrylics, gouache, watercolor techniques, collage, mixed media, and took sketching classes. Surrounded by gifted artists, I exhibited my work in art school shows and found both inspiration and lasting friendships.
Having the time to study art in Connecticut and explore so many different mediums opened up my mind to endless possibilities. Previously I attended the Art Students’ League in New York and the classes were extremely focused and contained. In Connecticut I had a chance to expand my horizons to many mediums. It opened up my eyes to endless possibilities.
Eventually, my creative interests drew me in a new direction when I attended a meeting of Pen Women and met Deborah Weir. Deborah and Marsha Hamilton were an inspiration when they spoke at the meeting, and I knew then my goal was to become a Pen Woman. I turned in a new direction, creative writing.
I miss the visual arts as well as playing the piano. If I could turn back time, I would gladly do it all again. Today, my energy is limited. For health reasons I have to listen to my body and accept its limitations. Even so, the memories of those wonderful years remain vivid, bringing me gratitude for the opportunities I had and the joy of creating art. Those experiences continue to inspire my writing and remind me that creativity can take many forms throughout a lifetime. ~~ Linda Hortick, Letters
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I began working with mica powders a few years ago. I love shimmer. The mica changed how I approach color. I paint with a very limited palette (oils) and when I want more variation add mica. It’s always a surprise. ~~ Heidi Matonis, Art, Letters
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When I wrote stories about my brother, I did not expect people to say that they saw themselves in the book, My Brother’s Secret Life. Reaching people on such personal level inspired me to write about my husband, A Greenwich Soldier. Future plans include memoirs of my mother and her sister who traveled divergent paths in life. ~~ Deb Weir, Letters
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September Theme:
If you could be an inanimate object what would you be? And why?
Say “No” to any offers that distract from personal goals. And most importantly, learn to say “Yes” even to challenging projects you’re not sure you have the skills for.” ~~ Ken Goldman