Friday, January 21, 2011

SPOTLIGHT: On Lesley Venable

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Faculty Name: Lesley Venable

Birthplace:
Perryton, Texas

Current Residence: Roanoke, Virginia

Necessary Job: Credit Administration Specialist for a Bank

How long have you been doing art?  
As an adult I let my inner artist back out to create about 6 years ago.  It's been a magical ride ever since and I often find myself wondering where I would be now if I had never locked her away.  Having said that I also believe that things happen when they are supposed to and it just took time for that part of my soul to shine again.

At what age did you begin creating and why?
   
My mother is a traditional artist and instructor so I was always surrounded by paints and canvases and watercolors.  We were taken to museums and really given space to be creative.  I have little books that I wrote when I was in elementary school and paintings on the back of scrap wood.  My notebooks in junior high and high school were covered in doodles and drawings and I loved when we were assigned projects where we could use that artistic side of our brains. 

What is your favorite part of teaching?   Everything!  I know that sounds silly but the magic starts from the moment the class is submitted to the point where you are facing your students in the class.  Although they might not realize it you know that you are being given such a gift to have them there and then to hear them getting so excited as a project comes together.  Amazing!!!  Nothing else describes the feeling of seeing them walk out of the classroom at the end of the day holding their creation in their hands with that "I created this" smile on their face.

What do you find most challenging about teaching?  
The logistics of getting all of "the stuff" and us from here to there, wherever there is. 

What do you like to do in your spare time? 
Relax with Mr. Lesley and our fur babies.  Having friends over and just enjoying the laughter.  Hunting for things to create with.

What is your favorite type of art medium?
I love, love, love fluid chalks.

Who is your favorite artist?
This is a hard one because it varies by type of art and by day or mood.  Wow, it feels awkward to try to name them LOL.  I'll do it this way:  Painting:  Misty Mawn, Jewelry:  Kecia Deveney, Books:  Judy Wilkenfeld, Fabric:  Ruth Rae, Art with Moveable Parts:  Kerin Gale & Charley Slaughter, Metal Art:  Leighanna Light, Beautiful Solder:  Sally Jean. Now, if you are talking about the classics:  Rembrandt, I love that the smallest detail was given his attention and Monet because of how easily and softly the images flow. I have to say that I am also pretty fond of where my artistic journey is taking me as well.

What is one interesting (trivial) fact that everyone should know about you?  
I have a "discard" pile of creations that did not work and there are times that I look at those to see how far I've come in my journey.  Oh, and I have a few tats but don't let that scare you away I really am a good girl.  <smile>

Favorite Image and Why?
This was taken the day my great niece, Elise, was born.  It was a day that brought about a new era for our family.  We had all been so saddened at the loss of my Daddy that it seemed like nothing would help mend that break.  Then along came Elise Aubrie (middle name after my Daddy and her Daddy (my nephew).  When I was first choosing my image I kept thinking I needed to choose one that was something that had happened on a much larger scale but when I look at this image I see a turning point, a new blade of grass beginning to grow.  It was a very poignant event in our family and our lives.  We are very thankful for this small angel.

Great Grandma Grandma and Elise

Lesley’s Blog

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Loved learning a bit more about you xx