Wide Open Sky because I wish I could fly
Pears and Animals because they make me smile
Trees and Snow because I'm a wild thing at heart
Roses because they catch the light and throw it away
Cowboys and Indians because I'm proud of my American heritage
Grand Canyon because it is the closest I will come to touching the face of God.
If my work has a common thread, it says simply " This is what I loved while I was here. "
I have begun to paint Grand Canyon with the goal of painting not just the beauty but what it means to me in a spiritual sense.
About 7 years ago at Grand Canyon, I had my first "meet your maker moment" on a rainy spring day. Clouds floated out of the canyon moving like silent ballet dancers all around us. Strangers were bonded and quiet as cloud dancers touched our faces with mist. It was only for a moment but it was profound.
I go back often and stay until evening takes the day waiting for those moments. My heart tells me to be still. Stop. Breathe. Remember every little thing. It is a gift that will last only a few minutes.
I have seen a double rainbow at my feet. I have heard many languages come together in universal silence at sunset. I envy the ravens and the condors.
These moments have made Grand Canyon one of my favorite places. I will always try to relay the magic and hopefully my paintings will remind people of the moments they experienced there as well.
 1953 – I arrive. 1967 – I meet George Molnar at a church social (this is where my life actually begins) 1968 – I fall in love with George. 1971 – We graduate from high school. 1972 – We get married and drop out of college (it was getting in the way of the art career) 1974 – Ben is born on New Year’s Eve. 1975 – When we have $600 saved, George quits his job at the grocery store to become a professional artist and we move to Carmel. 1976 – Shasta is born. 1978 – We move to Prescott, AZ. 1981 – I paint my first commissioned portrait. 1988 – I am commissioned to paint Senator Barry Goldwater’s portrait by Bill Grace. 1990 – Goldwater’s portrait is stolen and I am finally famous. (No, they never found it.) 1998 – I am a burned out portrait artist coping with an empty nest. 1999 – I discover the computer. 2000 – Rocky (the Dog) arrives and I start experimenting on canvas as well as the computer. 2009 – I am still experimenting on canvas and the computer. 2010 - I rebel, I decide to take a break, not from painting but from the painting business. 2011 - I’m back- WhooHoo! My paintings are now combining my love of people, animals and landscapes, I have scheduled 2 museum shows, 2 gallery shows all before June. I win the Governor's Award at Cowgirl Up! 2012 - GC7 Adventure Begins! Painting Grand Canyon is becoming an obsession! I am showing at Cowgirl Up! at Desert Caballeros Western Museum. Mountain Trails Gallery in Sedona, wants to sell everything I do and Ian Russell Gallery is planning a summer show for me, Don Rantz and Bill Cramer. Busy, busy. |
