Happy Birthday, Zora!

...I cannot express how much of an impact Zora Neale Hurston has has had on me as an artist.  Without going into too much detail...I did search my blog because I am sure that I have address this somewhere, but was unable to find it...I attended a Florida Humanities Council workshop, 'Jump At the Sun: Zora Neale Hurston and Her Eatonville Roots' in the summer of 2010.  (TEACHERS, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND APPLY FOR THIS...IT...WAS...AMAZING!)  I had a chance to go to Rollins College and meet a group of teachers from all over the country, I participated in scholarly discussion on the life and writings of Zora...to visit her hometown and to discuss the social and historical significance of her life and work.  It changed my life.  When I returned home from this workshop I bought sixteen canvases in various sizes and just...started to paint.


...and it took me a little while, but I finished most of the pieces- I even formally exhibited some of the pieces later that year.  Some of the works that I did not complete I at least painted over...but the point is...I made that first step toward making time for my art.


So anyway...Zora...wherever you are out there...happy birthday...and thank you!