Primary red, primary yellow, primary blue, black and white are familiar to me now as basic colors, however, in 1947 when I was born - our basics were flour, meal, lard, water and work. I am the youngest of 5 children and we were sharecroppers and whatever else we could do to help earn a living.
     When I was about 8 years old, I cut a red flower bloom from a book and stuck it to a piece of card board with green paint . I made a crude frame for it and gave it to my Mother. I did not know, of course, that these were complimentary colors. From then on when I had something to draw or paint with, I did so.
     After raising a family and retiring from work, at age 60 I enrolled in Gene Snowden’s oil painting class and joined the Tennessee River Fine Arts League. I have learned much. Gene is a wonderful artist and teacher. I’ve made many new friends and I enjoy the company and fellowship of those who share an interest in the beauty of art and the challenge that creating a piece brings to us, no matter the medium, no matter how good, no matter the concept. It’s the fulfillment that it brings that one must do to understand, and hopefully others will find enjoyment in our work as well.