It’s June, and we’re beginning our special seven-month celebration of the Seven Timeless Truths of Spas—starting with one of my favorites—Nature. Today, I get to write about someone near and dear to me—my younger sister Lucy. An outsider artist based in New Hampshire, Lucy has been drawing and painting since she was a toddler. Her creations are beautiful and unique, and while she has had commissions for portraits (both pets and people), she mostly draws flowers and animals. Lucy finds great inspiration in Nature, and has started a card company, called Lucy’s Nature Notes. I’ve shared one of my favorites here, her delightful rendering of the flower, Baby Blue Eyes. I asked my sister a few questions.
Why do you draw? I always feel happy when I draw. Making art is a part of me. I would be lost without it.
What’s the first thing you remember drawing? I don’t remember, it was so long ago, before I could walk. Mom said I was born with a pencil in my hand. When I was a toddler, I got into her oil paints and got my green handprint going down the brick wall of the fireplace in our Greenwich Village apartment. She says that was my first painting :)
What does drawing and painting do for you? Drawing has always been an outlet for me. I can express myself best with art. I am in my own world when I draw; nothing bothers me. It makes me feel happy and at peace. I like making others happy when I draw them something. I like the happiness on their faces or in their voices when I draw a card especially for them.
I always feel happy when I draw. Making art is a part of me. I would be lost without it.
Why do you draw so many animals and flowers? I love nature. Drawing these things makes me happy.
What is your preferred medium, and why? I start off using lead drawing pencils, I like to outline in black ink when I finish my drawing. For color, I prefer the Artists Colored Pencils. I have all kinds, regular, watercolor, ink. For me, these are easier to use because I have more control over when I am coloring in a picture—especially if I have smaller detail to color in things like eyes, noses, the petals and leaves on the flowers, etc.
If you didn’t draw you would . . . If I didn’t draw, I would probably play my computer games more.
Can you imagine a life without art? No, I cannot. Drawing and painting are a part of me. I have thought of getting rid of my art supplies just to have less clutter, but I just cannot bear to part with my art supplies. They are me, they are who I am.
For more information, write to LucysNatureNotes2@gmail.com
Mary Bemis
Mary Bemis is Founder & Editorial Director of InsidersGuidetoSpas.com. She is a pioneering spa journalist, most recently honored by Medika Life as one of the "Top 30 Influential Voices Transforming Wellness." She is an inaugural recipient of Folio's Top Women in Media Award, and was honored by ISPA with its distinguished ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award. In 1997, she launched American Spa magazine, and in 2007, Mary co-founded Organic Spa magazine. A pioneer in the sustainable spa and beauty worlds, Mary is co-curator of Cosmoprof North America's Discover Green Pavilion. She is a Global Wellness Day Advisor, and a co-founder of the Washington Spa Alliance.
- Web |
- More Posts(73)