It's In the Genes

I love this photo of me and my brother Doug. It was taken at my grandparents house, a place where we spent a lot of time and a place where I have many great memories. They lived on Chippewa Lake in Michigan. Doug and I spent a lot of time running in and out of the water in our underwear. I still absolutely love being in, on or around water.

My grandmother was an oil painter. My mom, brother and I all have an original piece from her work. I always loved the fact that while others had cheek pinching and moth ball smelling grandma's, I had an artist grandma. The talent was passed on to my mom who dabbled in everything from watercolor and ink, oil painting until she finally settled into original stained glass designs. I have made my career in art and my brother, well he hasn't taken the leap......yet.

My brother is a great writer. He has written songs and little short stories that he has shared with me. For years I have poked and prodded him to make an effort to get something published. Start small with a short story, enter a few contests. I understand his fear, I used to be him. I would go to galleries and shows and leave depressed and pouty because it wasn't me in that gallery. I understand his apprehension. The first gallery I went into with my work was TERRIFYING! I actually started to turn around just as the owner popped out from a back room. That was my start. She offered me to participate in a group show and from there things slowly fell into place.

With my book being published Doug is even more frustrated that his talent is untapped. I gave him my lecture again. I will send him a magazine short story contest I tore out the other day. But the only one that can force him off the 'cliff' is him.