The Crisis Center had their annual auction a while back.  I ended up with an Art Basket.  Now, I am no artist, but in the spirit of Anna Mary Robertson Moses, aka Grandma Moses, I decided to see what I could do.  Turns out, not much, but I did find out I enjoyed that hour of pencil-to-paper each day.  It was quiet.  I felt no pressure.  I breathed deeply.  Probably the most productive part of my dip into the world of art has been researching the life and work of various artists.  I started with Grandma Moses.

Anna Mary Robertson Moses was born in 1860 and died in 1961 at the age of 101.  She and her husband, Thomas, worked on various farms, living a humble, busy life.  She bore ten children, five of whom lived past infancy.  She began her painting career when she was 78 and initially sold her pieces for $3 to $5.  Her painting Sugaring Off sold for $1.2 million in 2006, 45 years after her death.  Often at her art shows she would sell her award-winning preserves, which she seemed to value more than her paintings.  Her family was her greatest treasure.

“What appeared to be an interest in painting at a late age was actually a manifestation of a childhood dream.”*  I wonder if Grandma Moses would have ever picked up a paint brush if she had had a cell phone.  I’m thinking our childhood dreams, dormant talents and current interests should trump the cell phone puzzles and social media where many of us spend our time.  The Idaho Enterprise can keep me informed.  Heaven knows I get more usable information there than on Facebook.  I’m not going to throw the baby out with the bath water, because there are advantages to having a mobile phone.  After all, I learned about Grandma Moses on my phone.   But Living the Good Life takes engagement rather than mind-dulling hours looking at a screen.  So, look up and pursue your interests!  Who knows…$1.2 million for the grandkids would be pretty sweet.    

*en.m.wikipedia.org/GrandmaMoses