09/21/2026
Early Sunday morning I was basking in the gratitude of another very special day in a place which involves 46 years of memories and milestones, and even over 60 years of memories and feels, while filling a day, bursting and overflowing with so many new milestones and memories! So many times recently, as I’ve worked on my art and creativity—my pottery and watercolor painting, and even staging and coordinating my displays, I feel like a young boy again! It brings back all the feelings of the God-given and blessed creativity I had as a child! I still get that wonder as I labor and struggle through it with all the challenges of making something! And when I’m done, I marvel and think “Wow, I just made that?”—and then the bonus feels when a grandchild or friend comes along and says, “Wow, you made that?”!
I think I’m being honest when I say, I’m not trying to impress anyone. There is what seems to be a necessary marketing aspect to my creative endeavors, which I struggle with and I’m trying to learn carefully. (This social media thing is overwhelming!) It’s an uncomfortable feeling sometimes, leaving me feeling vulnerable and a little embarrassed! I find maybe the best thing to do is just be myself?! But I share my art and creativity for so many other reasons. I really appreciate the connection it gives me with family and friends, while making new friends! It’s so encouraging! I am encouraged—but it’s so special to me that my creativity is an avenue to encourage others!
It encourages me so much, when my wife is by my side all day, helping me in every way on a very long hot art fair day —it’s what she does!
It encourages me when a couple of our kids are the very first ones to show up to support me, fresh coffee in hand for me!
It encourages me when a young, next generation little artist in our family, brings her art teacher from school to meet me, and I find out how much she’s been telling her teacher about me! (And reminds me little eyes are always watching!)
It encourages me when my brother 1,500 miles away sends me messages, making me feel like I’m the best artist ever—it’s what he does! (I want to tell him “Don’t over do it, Paul!”)
It encourages me when new friends that I’ve made through my job framing at Hobby Lobby also bring us iced coffee, and to show their support.
I’ve always felt inadequate and vulnerable as an artist! Here’s some advice—encourage any creative person you know! Don’t over inflate them (Paul! 😉), but express gratitude and encouragement for what they do! Tell them what you notice and appreciate in their creativity. I would say most artists struggle in the same way I’ve expressed! The few that don’t are conceited—and we don’t want to be around them!
All my life I’ve struggled with calling myself an artist. Maybe it’s because of my lack of consistency and discipline at times? Maybe it’s that age-old blasted comparison thing? Maybe it’s because until recently I haven’t sold any art? (Although it’s struck me in recent years that my creativity is what gave me a 35 year career to raise a family of six children and provide for them!) My title at Hallmark for 20 years of my career was Artist Engraver or Production Artist, and I still struggled with saying I was an artist. I would offer excuses as to why I wasn’t a “real artist” at Hallmark. As an Artist Engraver, I was actually sculpting other people’s art for emboss and foil on the cards. But recently I got out my scrapbook of a portfolio I made about 20 years ago of my engraving proofs and I just marveled as I showed them to our granddaughter. It’s not until recently, maybe because I’m actually selling some of my art, I’m finally trying to feel comfortable calling myself an artist.
All that said, I have now another day where my creativity filled a day from start to finish with joy, happiness, blessings, relationships, and special memories! I wish I could share with you all, all the special moments and what they mean to me.
Finally, if you’ve read this far—the biggest and most important truth through all of these thoughts, emotions and sentiments is that all of this is absolutely and only possible because of the goodness, mercy, and grace of God, my Savior!
This morning as I sit by the open window and listen to the rain and distant thunder, and think over again the memories of a long and special day yesterday, my heart is just filled with gratitude, and I know deep down inside it’s only and all because of Him—and I’m thankful!
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today’!”
(Hebrews 1:13)
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21)
