So one night .. I drew a Mona Lisa portrait

Artwork by Deborahe G. Squires

I am a 61 year old female who always dabbled in drawing since grade school. An art teacher named mrs. Lansett encouraged me to take her class the last semester and I did .

I drew a students portrait and when everyone saw it I had kids begging me in the hallways to draw their portrait. That began my enthusiasm for drawing .

My art teacher helped me apply for art college and I was accepted. Instead of going there I went to a bible college ( which I don’t regret) and dreamed of going to the beach to sit on the boardwalk to draw portraits.

That never happened and life went on with having 5 children that turned into 8 grandchildren. Every now and then I’d do a self portrait. Back in my day you did not have the internet to help you if you didn’t go to art college or take some kind of classes that (I couldn’t afford) you probably wouldn’t learn.

So one night .. I drew a Mona Lisa portrait and put it on my Facebook at age 59…a friend encouraged me to do a painting for her. I looked up utube to find out how to oil paint because I had no idea and this began my adventure and quest to paint portraits . I started charging donations and had many requests even ones I’m still working on. I get frustrated because I often feel I must be doing things the hard way and would love to learn more from the old masters.

Please vote for me to win this privilege of learning more.

Thank you.
I have been painting for 2 years now and I LOVE IT!