Walk Your Own Path
9x12 Oil
Before the pandemic put schools on hold, I volunteered at a school for homeless and disadvantaged kids and was constantly reminding them of the importance of living their own life and not the life others want or tell them to live.
I made it visual by putting it this way: "Do you want to drive the bus or ride the bus?" They got it, and loved to tell me they were driving the bus when I showed up to spend time with them.
This painting reminded me of them, of how difficult it can often be to stand alone and challenge the pressures of conformity and submission ... especially for them, so vulnerable, so at the mercy of others. So I gave this painting that name -- a proud, lone farm. Then, in thinking about it later, I had to laugh, because with my painting, I'm still riding the dang bus, when I have been yearning to drive it, to find my own painting path ... and go there!
Who am I? It's a big question. But like my beautiful, brilliant students I am deeply determined to find my way into the driver's seat. Yeah.
