Learning by doing…
painting, fishing, & hunting.
I have felt led to share the experiences I have learning how to paint, fish, and hunt with others. I want to share my successes and failures and lessons learned through this outlet. I hope you feel led to share your gifts as well and go out and give fishing and hunting a try. The joy of experiencing God’s creation is something I hope we can share with younger generations.
painting.
My background is art and design based. I love creating and learning techniques and processes that create imagery I enjoy. Several years ago, I started learning acrylic and watercolor painting. I had never taken any classes in either of these techniques but I enjoy teaching myself and learning in ways that make sense to me. I learn best by doing. I try to express texture and movement in my paintings in several ways. Whether with uneven gesso and layers of color or using palette knives to cut and feather the paint. I want people to feel the images. It is how I express my love for the places I paint.
fishing.
Fishing is where I started my outdoor adventures. I grew up fishing with my Dad and Granddaddy. I loved the serenity and the potential for excitement. I was never bored fishing…there was too much to see, to think about and to reflect on with others. One of the first conversations I had with my husband before we started dating was about fishing. After church, we would discuss the intricacies of catfishing with stink baits. I know…so romantic. But this is unequivocally us.
We have enjoyed sharing moments with our children fishing and ultimately it will always be one of our favorite ways to spend time together.
hunting.
Hunting is an endeavor that I just started in the last four years. In 2019, I had a cerebral brain aneurysm that ruptured. I walked around for two weeks with the brain bleed and was unable to figure out what was causing this severe pain and sickness. On November 2nd, I had a stroke causing me to lose consciousness and be unresponsive. I was taken by ambulance to our local hospital and was transferred later that day to a larger hospital with a more specialized neurosurgery facility. I was prepped for surgery and had a titanium coil inserted into the aneurysm. I spent fifteen days in the hospital fourteen of which in ICU.
By the grace of God, I had zero long term effects from the stroke and aneurysm. I had an additional surgery in May of 2020 to insert a stent due to a small reoccurrence of the aneurysm.
During this time my life had been turned upside down and I was struggling with anxiety and fear. I was scared of it happening again and losing my family. I knew that I needed help and with a push from my husband I got help from my pastor who is a counselor. We worked though my anxiety and fear from a biblical perspective. I concentrated on building a closer relationship with my father in heaven and making him my ultimate priority.
While I was recovering, I spent a lot of time watching YouTube. I craved being outside and watching hunting and fishing videos was therapeutic. I also watched a lot of the podcast Unashamed with Phil Robertson. I enjoyed his witness along with the life in the woods mentality and the humor was an added bonus. During this time, I longed for the Word and the closeness to Jesus I felt from studying the Bible.
God was reshaping my mindset and helping me see the true purposes for my life. At this time, I realized that hunting was something I had to do. I had to have that experience that I heard others talking about and I needed to be in outdoors where I could focus only on the act and mindset of hunting. I needed find a place where I felt at peace.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22-23
Everyday is a day to be thankful for…even during trials. The time we are given to grow in our faith is a blessing from God.
I am excited to share my artwork and my outdoor experiences. I will post often in my blog, gallery and on instagram. Please follow me on social media to keep up with my updates.
