Awe and Wonder

I made it into The Art Prize Contest.  What a difficult Task.  There is a lot more politics than I thought there would be.

This is my picture.  I based it on the Wizard of Oz because that is what my life has felt like for the last 2 and 1/2 years.

Those who know me know that after surgery I thought I lost my brain.  I struggled with verbal  communication(aphasic).  It was a new world and a new life I was no longer in Kansas.

I  was afraid and angry and I withdrew into my art.  Here I found a hidden talent that I did not know I had.  I work with water color pencil on canvas and practice every day.  Although I have given away many more painting than I have ever sold I have faith that someday I will be able to earn a meager living at it and pass it on to my grandchildren.

Wizard of OZ

Just created some new Wizard of Oz watercolor pencil on canvas paintings. These are 11 by 5 and are all matted and in frames. These two will be entered in the Mary Freebed art show to take place some time in March.

I really got into the video again do to the emotional aspects of this recovery business. I titled the Scarecrow picture, "Not ME." and the Lion picture, " I found my courage."

Introductions

Biography of Photo and Water Color Pencil painting.

Elaine J. Hoogeboom was born on June 12, 1954. Elaine was born, grew up,
and has stayed in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She received a BA in 1982
form Aquinas College. She went on and obtained a Masters in Social work
in 1984. She worked successfully in the Social Work field for over 25 years.
Do to a childhood injury she struggled with increasing back pain which
inevitable lead to three successive back surgeries within four years. She
began taking pictures while participating in physical rehabilitation following
her first back surgery. Elaine would walk a minimum of two miles a day
always carrying a camera and taking shots of birds, flowers, butterflies and
anything that caught her fancy. She has had no formal training in
photography but seems to have a good eye for the focused beauty of nature.
She has been shooting pictures for the last 3 years but has never shown any
of her work.
Elaine began working with water color pencils about 2 years ago when her third back surgery left her with many hours of solitary time. The anaesthesia left her aphasic and she withdrew into art. After a year of speech therapy she is now beginning to show the world the gift she feels she has received for the adversity of the
complications of the last surgery. She has had no formal training in the art
field.

Elaine has developed a good support team including: Dee Ann Hands her
best friend and partner, Mike and Sue Callihan her art mentors, Julia Bomia
her speech therapist and Jamie Williams, Lori Holstege, Mike Ryan, and
Pamela Wright-Hatchet. These are the core people who believe in her and
have encouraged her to draw.