APRIL MEETING

Wednesday, April 9, 2008, 12 PM (Come early to eat.)

Catfish Country Restaurant

5311 US Hwy 231

ECAG BOARD MEETING

(Board meeting of all officers and committee chairmen)

Monday, April 7, 2008, 11:15 AM

EXHIBITS

Catfish Country:  April 2008 – Michele Kuykendall

The Book Basket:  April 2008 – Carol Hickman

WETUMPKA (FAIN) SENIOR CENTER

April 22, 2008

Connie Carraway Baker

GOLD STAR PARK BROWN BAG CONCERTS

WETUMPKA LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

ECAG MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:  JUDITH IVY HAYDEN

At the ECAG January 2008 meeting Judith Ivy Hayden gave a talk about her life as an artist.  It was an inspiring talk and I feel it is worth sharing with all.  Below is her speech.

     “I’m not going to talk about styles or art history or artist.  I don’t know what art is and I doubt than any of us could explain where creativity comes from.  It is a gift and we are all truly blessed to receive it.

     But I can tell you this…Sometimes the worse thing that happens to you, turns out to be the best thing that happens to you.

     My story is not unusual.  I had to start my life all over again at 51.  It was like stepping off a cliff into the dead of night; not knowing when or where I would land.  It was terrifying.  It was heart breaking.  It was humiliating.  It was stressful.  And being sick and in chronic pain made it all the more so.

     I have Ankylosing Spondylitis, a rare and crippling form of arthritis.  I had been sick for a long time but finally the illness forced me to leave my job in advertising.  I had no disability insurance or retirement fund.  I had to live off my savings and apply for Social Security Disability.  Then I had to make some major changes in my life.

     For a long time, I didn’t know what to do with my ‘new life.’  Since I was a bird watcher, I became the ‘Crazy Birdhouse Lady,’ building bluebird houses out of cedar.  Surprisingly, I sold a lot of birdhouses.  Then I started ‘Party Pup,’ making Christmas and holiday collars for dogs.  I sold a lot of those too.  Still my new life was missing something.  I knew there was a perfect creative outlet for me but I couldn’t quite grasp it.

   Then about four years ago, I was at the ‘Story Telling Festival’ at Old Town, in Montgomery.  I heard the ‘Tin Man,’ Charlie Lucas, give a talk about his life.  No one expected him to get up and talk, but he did.  He spoke about creativity and inspiration and a deep connection to God.  He spoke with such purpose and open-hearted joy.  It was one of those experiences where you get chill bumps and you hair stands on ends.  It was if he were speaking directly to me.  He made me remember how much I had enjoyed painting in my high school art classes.

     I went out that Monday, bought paints, brushes, and canvas, and I started painting.  Color came naturally, but it took me a while to find a style of my own that fit my physical limitations.  Through painting I was finally able to express my belief that everything on earth is alive, connected, and in motion.  I soon discovered that when I was painting I was less aware of my pain.  I was transported to a place filled with the beauty of nature.  Painting began to center me.  It became a sort of meditation, a connection that made me feel whole and complete.

     I learned that my local Coliseum Blvd. Library would let me show my work for free, so I set a goal for a dozen paintings by a certain date.  I received good reviews from the library patrons and much encouragement from Richard Mobley, the head librarian.  I kept painting and began to have a lot of art that no one saw, as the fatigue and pain of my arthritis began to make me a recluse of sorts.

     Everyone told me I should join the Art Guild.  Well, I’m not big on joining.  Part of that is because I am an introvert by nature.  Also, I find it strange for a group of people to form a club so they can give each other an award or ribbon or a prize.

     But I did join the Art Guild.  I decided it was the only way to meet other artists and I find artists inspiring and stimulating.  Seeing other artists’ work sparks my imagination and makes me want to do better work.

     So here I am, painting full time.  I’ve found my little niche in life and I am meeting new and interesting people.  As for the prizes, I got some.  And suddenly those ribbons don’t seem stupid or ego driven at all.

     They say the longest journey you’ll ever make in your life is the one from your head to your heart.  For the first time in my life, my heart and my mind and my eyes are open to all the possibilities of life.  Painting gave me this.  I hope it gives you as much joy as it does me.”

© 2008 Judith Ivy Hayden

SEND INFO FOR ECAG NEWSLETTER:  Doris Bell, Phone 567-7910 or Email dmb12242@bellsouth.net

NEWSLETTER ONLINE:  To view our monthly newsletters online, go to this link:

http://www.elmorecountyartguild.org

Elmore County Art Guild

P. O. Box 65

Wetumpka, AL 36092-0065

ECAG OFFICERS:  

PRESIDENT:  Shirley Esco   Phone:  569-3909  Email:  DSESC09696@DISHMAIL.NET

VICE PRESIDENT:  Libby Christensen   Phone:  514-6416  Email:  libbychr@yahoo.com

SECRETARY:  Doris Bell

TREASURER:  Carol Hickman

PARLIAMENTARIANS:  Frances Spence and Evelyn Gosa

ECAG COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS: 

PUBLICITY:  Libby Christensen

EXHIBITING:  Doris Bell    Phone:  567-7910  Email:  dmb12242@bellsouth.net                                                       

NEWSLETTER:  Doris Bell  

HISTORIAN:  Jim Harris                                                            

WINTER SHOW:  Stephanie Harrison

PROGRAM:  Carol B. Meredith

GREETER:  Frances Spence

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:  Judy Lea