| 6/4/11| http://www.thoughts.com/kelliemontana/the-lid-is-off-1 |
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6/28/10 | When I am showing my work a common questions is "what made you want to start painting?" or "How long have you been painting?" These come with lots of other questions like, "what inspires you?" and "who taught you?". I usually give some standard answer like..."Well I am a hairdresser so, I have always been creative." Then I will mention my first formal art teacher and I will finish it up with what inspired the collection they are currently looking at.
When I asked myself those questions a few years ago, the answers where much more complicated and revealed who actually taught me how to love. When I made this self discovery, I immediately called the people that I could get in touch with and verbalized what a difference they had made in my life and journey. Some where close to me but, most of those people were not in my close circle. That is where the lesson for me came in. It was a lesson in obedience to God's call in our daily lives. I painted all of them a painting made from the same broken mirror to be a reminder that when they feel “broken” to remember that they helped put someone back together. I shared with them a story that I had not thought of in years. The memory and images of it flooded into my head so vividly I felt as if someone had put a warm blanket around my freezing body. If someone wanted to pay me million dollars to say what inspired me to be an artist and they already new the answer, I would have missed it by a mile!
I was in the sixth grade and my teacher was Jane Embry. I lived in a very small town so, there was one teacher per grade. Most of the female teachers, at that time, were older. Miss Embry was young and kind of a bohemian. She had this very long beautiful thick hair. She wore it in a french braid and I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen (I think I just discovered my obsession with long hair writing this!). She taught us about Native Americans. To this day, Native American jewelry is still my favorite. Needless to say...I was her disciple.
My life at home was very tumultuous and unhappy so, school was my escape. It was Christmas and my family was moving away for what seemed like the 100th time. There was the usual "mean girl" drama at school and I fell victim to it. To someone else, that might not have been as
traumatic but, for me...It was paralyzing. I came to school and on my desk (and mine alone) was a wreath made out of construction paper that said "To the little girl that makes me laugh". I can vividly recall the glitter, the cutouts and the care that went into making it. It was the first time EVER that I felt special and that I had value to someone. To have value to someone that I was in worship of....what a lightning bolt! We moved that next week and I did not see Miss Embry again. She married a few years later and I cut out her wedding announcement and held onto it and the wreath for years. I saw her briefly years later but, never told her what she did for me.
The next several years after sixth grade remained tough but, I was armed with a new tool in my toolbox. The knowledge that I was special and important. In thirty years I have collected many addresses, a few ex- husbands and disappointments but, I have collected so many more wreaths.
Miss Embry showed me that taking the time to make something can make someones day and even save someones life. That when God shows you a neighbor that is hurting, it IS your responsibility to help. He showed YOU because he already gave you the gift to heal the hurt. I wish I still had that wreath. It would now be my most prized possession. I am sure it would be in some shadow box hanging in my studio reminding me of what my truth is. It would remind me, that when I get caught up in the dynamics of what it means to be an "artist" for a living...to listen to that voice that says, "do what you love and the money will come". As cliche as that is, it has worked for me all of my career. It would remind me to get my head out of my own tail and make sure I am being of service. Stop laboring over the mistakes of your past and learn, forgive and CHUCK IT! Thank you to all things Holy that God is not done with me yet and continues to show me that I am worth the overtime.
This recession did make me lose track. I changed what (and reason) I painted to increase sales. It had the opposite affect and my sweet boyfriend reminded me that I was better than that. If he had made me a wreath it would have said “Be true to yourself”...I went back to my truth and had my biggest show ever and continue to have great sales every week. So, my answer to the question “What inspires you?” is.....”Bringing Joy to someone”
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 | Wow........made me weep inside....so true, so well said, from the friend who has never left my side no matter how many stupid mistakes I made. You ARE special. You always have been. God blessed me with you in my life. You are an artist. You are an example of loving without wanting anything in return. I am proud to call you my "roomie".....my friend.....Love you.... | -- Anita, 6/28/10
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12/4/09New works waiting to be posted! Check back in a few.......lots of new things!
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9/13/09 | | |  |
I hate computers! I hate them because they are smarter than me. Well, not smarter just logical. Not flexible....are they?? I have spent the whole day working on this site and trying to verbalize what "Me and My Canvas" is all about. I have realized in 8 hours of typing (more like correcting) that I want to do so many things here. I want so many people to get to have the joy that art has been for me. On a side note, while I have been working, one of my favorite people and artists sent an email through this site. Paul McClean...probably inspired me the most to paint. He gave me a gift certificate to an art supply store for my birthday years ago and it was my first acrylic paint purchase! One of his paintings is the first thing you see when you walk into the studio. I have not talked to him in many years and was immediately taken back to how I started having a desire to paint.
Being creative is something that I have always had to do. There have been many times over the years that I did not have the time but, the need to do it has always been there. The process of taking my art from a hobby to something that earns me an income has been an interesting journey. That journey has been filled with lots of trial and error, masterpieces and paintings that were barely worth painting over!
I can still remember my first workshop. It was a watercolor course that lasted 8 weeks. The knowledge I gained and the friendships I forged with other artists are no small way responsible for my success. My very first figure drawing for that class, I still use today! That was 15 years ago and it has continued to be one of my biggest sellers. At this stage of my career, it has become important to me to share my tricks and to "pull the curtain back" on the journey to becoming an artist.
Expressing your creativity is not only fun, it is a huge stress reliever! In these stressful times, we all need the relaxation, fun and pretty things we can get! These classes and workshops are a very economical way to celebrate your creative side and decorate your home.
So, I am done for now with this computer...it is time for me to go paint something! kellie montana |
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 | Kellie, i was touched and intrigued by your image .. then i read further, then i looked at every image and read everything about you and Anita. i lived in Chattanooga in the early years of my marriage and your site brings back so many memories of my time there .. oh how i wish i can create an environment such as yours some day for i am a lone artist, a single woman but i do listen, i do dream. thanks for the inspiration to keep painting, keep living life as an artist. | -- Ruby St. James, 10/10/09
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| Kellie, last night was an opening to my bucket list. I have always wanted a "Painting" by someone, I never thought it would be my "Own". Thank you and your Gallery for giving me the source to create, relax, make new friends and just enjoy the talent that God has given each one of us...You are such an inspiration and your talents are exasperating! May your success be plentiful!! | -- Mylinda Parker, 9/18/09
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7/21/09 | Best Friends!!This painting was inspired by facebook. I have so much fun going through all of the photos that my friends post. My favorite ones are the photos that people take of themselves with the camera at arms length. You can always tell what friend likes to have their photo taken and which one does not. The piglet on the left clearly likes the camera!
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| Not only did I come away from the art class with a sense of accomplishment and pride, but new friends, as well! It was a time to relax and really do something that I had always thought I might enjoy but did not take the time to try. You have got to try a class! | -- Gloria Myrick, 7/24/09
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Me and My Canvas 20 Music Square West Nashville, TN 37203 615.506.0826(cell) kelliemontana@me.com
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