Carolyn McDonald, Birmingham
Member Since May 2015
Artist Statement Works of My Heart
When I was a little girl, I would occasionally get 25 cents to spend at Hyder’s 10 cent Store located on the square of downtown Sparta, Tennessee. I usually chose a coloring book, especially if I already had a box of brilliant Crayola Crayons at home. I enjoyed opening that box each time, because the aroma of wax crayons were spell binding. I would be transported away from the alcoholic home I lived in. Home was where I felt overlooked and alone. However, when I drew and colored, I created my own existence of beauty, safety, and hope as I colored the golden locks of Cinderella’s hair. I created a world where I felt strong, loved, cherished, and important. It is no wonder that I majored in art in high school and wound up with three college degrees in art later on.
In most ways painting has been a life-line between God and myself. He is my Healer, Redeemer, and Lover of my Soul. In good times and bad times, I have painted my experiences. I have painted loneliness, heartbreak, sexual harassment, the joy of children, the weight of doing so much for others that I am forgotten again, grief, anger, enormous relational pain, the healing process, and the joy of recovery and closeness with God. Many times, I lay my brush down and look at a finished painting, and wonder how I was able to do that, only to smile and acknowledge where my ability, passion, and endurance come from.
I am blessed and I want to bring the joy and peace I enjoy today to others. This is why I paint flowers. They are light filled, colorful, thought provoking and soul-deepening. Art can heal not only the painter, but the viewer as well. To see the beauty and God’s peace and to be able to lay that down on canvas with oil paint during these times when people are encouraged to “hate the other” is how I try to bring joy and beauty to the world.
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