(512) 448-1840  imagineartaustin@yahoo.com

Artist Statement | Gallery | Resume

Artist Statement

In 2002, I stumbled into Imagine Art; the artists’ organization founded by Debbie Boyd- Kizer and supported by volunteer Lydia Drey Ward that literally brought me back from the dead. It has been an incredible journey having struggled all my life with mental illness and years of self medication to feel like the proper medication has finally given me a new lease on life.

Born in Dallas, Texas; I was the second child of my parents Lanny and Carolyn West. Having undiagnosed mental illness when I was five, I intuitively and subconsciously sought something that would provide me with my own sense of stability; I found that through painting. As our family moved around the United States, I continued entering and winning art contests in public schools and private shows throughout my elementary and high school years. When I was nine years old living in Houston I was diagnosed as Bi-Polar and I took my first private art lessons where I was introduced to oil painting.

In the midst of struggling with a life-time of mental illness and 11 years of drug addiction, I searched different art institutions and colleges to salvage any talent that could have possibly prevailed. I was drawn to the University of Texas at Austin in the 1980’s and quickly developed relationships with three different professors. Under the guidance of Professor Michael Levers, Professor Kenneth Hale, and Professor Kelly Fearing my artistic interests were developed through my exploration of several mediums with a focus on oil painting. But soon after graduation, I was over come with deep depression. I lost all power to create.

With my own spiritual redirection and connection to Imagine Art, I spent three years playing guinea pig and finally found the combination of medications that balanced out my body’s chemistry.

In the process of improving my health - there has been a major shift in belief system and ultimately in my art. The most obvious change in my painting is the old approach of muted color in transparent layers to the use of brilliant colors and broad painterly brushstrokes. Formerly I had sought painting as a refuge... Now, I believe painting is a gift given to me by the Spirit of the Universal Creator; and in order to honor that spirit I must return the gift by showing up to each canvas or project to visually express myself. Finally, when I become the vessel to create art, I am drawn into an alternative world where I experience a kaleidoscope of passion and joy with height, depth, and width.

Today I have a full-time art career as an artist, volunteer & educator. Armed with new energy and vitality I have re-entered the world of professional art and I am again showing my work locally and nationally while fulfilling requests for commissions.

     
This project is funded in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division, by grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and by Big Star BINGO