Art Show at Juniper Village at Meadville by Our Talented Friend Doris

by Doris (an email from our friend)

My eyes were immediately focused on the announcement in the newspaper of the upcoming Art Show to be held at Juniper Village at Meadville and seeing the words “AWAKEN YOUR PASSION.” This is my story and perhaps I will have enough courage and inner strength to enter my paintings to be judged.

My name is Doris and I am 78 years of age. After retiring, my husband Bob and I moved to Meadville in 2001; we are proud and very happy to call this wonderful community our permanent home.

And so, my story begins: I am laying in a hospital bed recovering from a stroke and experiencing difficulty speaking or moving. My eyes were closed and I began to see bold, brilliant flashes of color that were immediately overwhelming and fearful. After a time, I began to see the beauty and wonderment of all this and a beautiful peace and calm over me. With time and patience I recovered enough to function at a lesser level and feel quite Blessed by God to be living and able to enjoy the love and encouragement of my Family.

Over the next year, I began to feel a strong desire to try to paint a picture; I began with a watercolor of a seascape and moved on to oil painting of landscapes. I learned by practice, reading books and watching videos regarding the art of painting.

So, to complete my story, I must tell you that my firm faith in God and with the assurance that He has “Awakened My Passion” with the gift of creativity and perception of beauty that comes from within. God has given me so much, but I must continue to do the work.

It is with a humble and grateful heart that I would like to thank Brenton Steiger and the staff at Juniper Village at Meadville for hosting this Art Show and giving me this remarkable and uplifting moment in time to make my dream to become reality: “NURTURE THE SPIRIT OF LIFE.”

Oh, let me mention that I did win a Blue Ribbon for one painting and Honorable Mention for another one at the Art Show.