Portfolio Samples

Zen and the Artist

I now have time to work full time as a digital artist, and a photographer, as well as a poet. That makes me very happy. When I was working and supporting a family, I told people, "I have some fun hobbies." I secretly longed to work full time as a creative person, but I didn't want to impoverish my family during the time it would take to establish myself. As a retired senior scientist, I can now devote much more time to what grew over the years into an avocation.

I try to weave work and play together and have fun doing my work. I find I must believe in myself and not give myself a hard time, if the fun part is going to happen. I experiment, playing around with many different things to discover and create. I am an artist. My projects are an experiment. I constantly seek new directions in my work. Am I offering something new? Where is my artistic "voice" today? I do plan my designs, yet leave room for serendipidy. I research materials, study books and even price what I will use. I like to have a feel for the medium before I begin. I am also willing to discover as I proceed with a project. Once prepared, I let my work unfold in the moment as some great Zen experiment in mindfulness. It is a joy to watch the process. Later I find hidden treasures I had no idea were there. I find mystery in creativity.