@loribmt, @artist01 ...You see a young girl's freedom and serious desire to let go of something inside. I loved painting. Yes, these were my first attempts. Understand, Mrs. Maloy was watching every stroke. great teacher. Relaxing, I go into a zone, another wonderful world. The world could explode and I'd never know. It would have been so good for me to continue to paint and have that outlet. I played piano through college, and it was certainly a release for me. I still have my first piano and will sell it soon. My octaves have shrunk drastically.

Yes, Lori, I did a tiny bit in college. I went to school here in Jax; The artist in residence was a delightful, quite interesting Chinese artist, Mun Quan. I doubt you know of him, but he was well known in this area for his watercolors, and later his oil and acrylics. I took a few classes from him and had a ball. Would have loved to continue, but got waylayed by life.

He gave me a couple of his paintings. I bought one later in life and Mother had several. I enjoy them every day. I wanted desperately to paint again but never pushed myself to actually follow through. Too much junk with living got in the way every time I tried to get started. I did begin to set up one of my bedrooms to paint, with wonderful natural light and unused for years. Something happened, possibly one of the health issues got in the way.

I do wonder if these fingers and hands could still hold a brush, use watercolors. I've never worked in other mediums, although my mother was talented in many areas and dabbled a bit in oil. I'm afraid the talent may have drowned along the way! And, I would have to begin from the beginning...I don't even own a single brush.

That's why I had and have such a strong desire to use photography to express my delight in nature. You know, it often takes something or someone to spur action. And, the costs today would be tough.

Anyway, thanks for the kindness. I framed them years ago and have always hung them in my bedroom. Private. So, consider yourselves very special I shared them with you.
Bless you, be safe and be well. Elizabeth