Amarica --I was born on a cattle ranch in Bakersfield, California. Life was not easy as it not easy for anyone born into this world.
My
dad was a cowboy and my mother was a home-maker. Although we spent most
our life growing up on the ranch with two sisters and two brothers, we
also experienced hardship whenever my dad would leave the ranch and
take us on the road. He only had a third grade education so we as a
family ended up having to work in the fields right along with my
parents whenever the need arose. We were always happy when we returned
to the ranch and our life resumed some kind of normalcy.
We
had horses and I learned about caring and loving and giving from my
devoted parents. They taught me the love of God and to put my trust in
Jesus. My grandparents and some aunts and uncles lived and worked on
the ranch as well. We were a close family.
I began writing
and drawing at a very young age, listening to the stories that were
told as the family gathered around in the evenings and shared each
other’s memories, hopes and dreams. My dad wrote songs and we would
listen to him play his guitar and sing them for us.
I
loved it when my dad would saddle up our white horse “Rusty” in his
black Spanish saddle and harness with all the studded silver; he would
dress in his black outfit with silver belt, spurs and all and ride in
the parades in downtown Bakersfield. He looked so handsome to me.
My
mother taught me to pray and to think of others, to give and share and
love. They both showed me by their actions that caring for others
should be part of our everyday life, not just a Sunday thing.
I
continued with my writing and art after I grew up and studied art in
Shasta College. I wrote a column for a local newspaper and have had
several poems published in anthologies.
I have sold
paintings all the way from Southern California to Portland, Oregon. One
of my paintings is in the possession of the Kennedy family. It was a
gift I sent when John was assassinated. I had been working on a
painting of him with Jacquiline. A few days after the painting was
finished, the tragedy took place. I did not have the heart to sell the
painting, having no desire to gain from this event. I sent the painting
to Rose as a gift and she graciously sent me a wonderful “Thank you”
note for it.
It is my desire to market my art in various
forms on the internet, also in galleries and any other marketplace
which becomes available to me.
My heart and soul are
dedicated to glorifying God. I desire to raise the hopes and dreams of
others that I encounter during this journey of life. My goal is to hear
the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” when I meet
Christ face to face.