When I am asked “How long did it take you to paint that?”, I find it difficult to answer, since the resulting work of art brings into play many years of experience and study.

I've been blessed by a stimulating variety of experiences lived, having relocated and travelled nationally and internationally, like a gypsy moving from one place to another. The diversity I've found in people and locales is no less than the differences between the colours of a painter's palette.

I discover my spirituality through my art and the best experiences are when I surprise myself. A blank canvas is exciting to me. It is the potential expression of anything and everything. The more it's worked, the more limited it becomes, with the reality always falling short of the potential. I've relied on and been nourished by the encouragement and constructive criticism from my children and my former mate.

I have been surrounded by the feminine throughout my life. I grew up in a family of five girls (when we were young we called ourselves “the hatchery”, and would ask callers “Which chick do you want to speak to?”. As fate would have it, I myself went on to have three daughters.

As an “empty-nester”, I look back on a variety of interests that have captured my time. I express my creativity in activities other than my art. For example, I am accomplished in crafts such as ceramics, sewing, knitting and crocheting. I've branched out into building large stained glass windows and panes. In my painting, I'm partial to oils, though acrylics do have their benefits, and in some of my work I employ mixed media to achieve a broader scope of effects.

Life continues to be fresh and new. My latest learning experience is becoming my own handyperson, taming those power tools and bringing them under my control. (What took me so long?)

Another door opens!

©1999-2004 Grace Noël. All rights reserved. Any duplication or transmission in whole or in part by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author or artist is strictly forbidden.

This page last updated on April 5, 2004.