I don't know why but I decided to revisit and dust off my blog only to find out the last time I posted was in August 2013. So here I am again a year later. Maybe I should just make this an annual blog!

Along with seriously working and practicing my love of the clay arts, I went back to school last summer to pursue my dream of completing my degree. I got my AA  in Liberal Arts many (ahem!) years ago. Now I'm working towards a BA in Art History at ASU. I was never a very attentive student of history but am finding Art History quite interesting. Maybe it's because I have a different perspective (being "older") on history or because I've purposefully released the long suppressed artist in me, but I am finding the history part so much more interesting than I think I would have had I even considered this in my 20s. Without question there are areas of this study that I find a bit "pretentious". Art historians have their own language, which I find a bit much at times, but am required to learn it nevertheless, especially if I want to do well on papers. Sometimes the art we study in these classes is so over analyzed when all I want to do is just enjoy it for its beauty and to appreciate the skill of the artist.

I really wanted to pursue a degree in something related to the art world as that is what I am drawn to now and because it is about as far removed from the analytical health insurance industry from which I gratefully retired after 25 years. I am able to pursue the degree online which allows me the freedom to work on my assignments and in my studio on my own schedule. I couldn't imagine doing this if I had to be in the classroom several times a week. I have considered changing my major to Art Education since I love teaching others about the clay arts, but it would require a portfolio and actual attendance in the classroom. Both sound a bit daunting. I admit it. I fear having to prepare an actual portfolio, but would do it if I didn't have to go to class. Oh well, the point is to accomplish getting my BA. Something I put on hold years ago as I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. My career in the health insurance industry came along by accident, (as do many careers) and so that is where I stayed. Along with my husband and his career in the banking industry it allowed us to put all three of our kids through college. I can't complain.

Now I am joyfully retired and for the first time ever, consider myself an artist pursing my passion for clay and all things art related. I find myself picking up my pencil and sketch pad whenever I can and last week for the first time in years I painted in acrylics. It just makes me feel so good to create. It is almost a compulsion. When I was much younger and in college I wanted to pursue art as a major, but lacked the confidence. Plus, I just didn't have people encouraging me at that time in my life. So, instead I chose Liberal Arts. Life happens and you do what you need to do. I am on a different path now for what I hope will be many more years to come. I have no regrets. I am thankful and feel incredibly blessed.