Once upon a time…

Elizabeth Taylor is one the many women that I have drawn. The art above is my painting taken into Photoshop with a filter applied, such fun to work with filters! The first lady I ever drew was Donna Summer and she remains one of my Iconic women on a long list of Iconic women. I think my first drawing was of my Uncle Charles and it was a gangly, cartoonish, looking character that my Aunt Suzanne got a big kick out of! My first creative job was as a Scrimshaw artist, and that was before it the practice was more regulated or banned. I drew ships, stick figures, and much more than I can even remember now. All sold through Boone Trading Co., and I think he still exists, it was a wonderful start. My next creative job came as a Graphic Designer, but it was many years later. I did have an interview once for a fashion illustrator, but the guy told me I needed to "hone" my skills, I guess I wasn't up to speed on that one. It's funny how a little luck and mentorship can change a persons life if you have it. Although I have participated and shown my work occasionally in local art galleries throughout my life, I cannot say I have had my nose to the ground as far as my artwork is concerned; but I did apply from time to time for grants and to be involved in city funded art events. That never seemed to pan out as it was always the people who had the time or resources to be able to make art continuously....Well today, I am a Postmaster of a small post office and even though I have been back to school several times to "relearn" graphics I am still doing the job of a Postmaster....for now. I have not forgotten my heritage, and the talent that I have was gifted to me by god and by one of the greatest women that I can proudly say that I descended from- my mother Annette McClain who also drew women, but never had the chance to follow any dreams of being an artist with 7 kids! Well today I am just as busy, only without the character building blessing of seven kids! I am nearing retirement soon and this lifelong pursuit of using my talents is still with me and I am looking forward to my "retirement job". Right now, I am working full time and commuting 3 hours a day so it leaves me little time for art, but I'm working on that situation ...maybe I will start a blog about that...LOL. Right now, I really consider most of my work to be "training" as I am working with some very good tutorials so I can learn new skills. I love the loose impressionistic style, but I am very detailed in my work for the most part, so I am working on changing that....until needed. I hope you enjoy looking at my work; and while I continue practicing, a lot of it will be available soon under what I call my "practice pricing" so look for it on my website it will be available for the cost of shipping and the mat. Thanks for taking time to read this, and I hope I can post some more soon!

- Juliet McClain.