Why not try

    I have met many people, and some have become valuable mentors. Who has taught me, helped me, and supported me through adventures which modeled me into the person I am today. Some people might say a mentor is only a person “who has taught you something.” I found that not to be true. A mentor is anyone who not only is a teacher, but gives support, encouragement, and is a good listener. Because sometimes I just need someone to listen as I talked my way through a problem. There is always one thing I found in common with each mentor, they never expected anything of monetary value in return. Of course, a regular visit and adventure story time is always fun.

How can you repay someone who doesn’t expect or want anything? Especially when they say, “just pay it forward,” but can you pay it forward but in reverse. The answer is simple if you are willing to work for it. It comes through the sharing of your different talents and abilities. Repaying can be paying it forward in different ways. Mentors are helpful in different ways, from helping you learn the fundamentals of math, science, and English, or learning a skill or a trade. With the diversity of everyone’s abilities, I have found value by sharing my new craft with people who have impacted my life. One person said after she saw her project was “I don’t know anyone who does this.”

            The first project was for an old teacher of mine who told me the quote of “you will find a way to leave your own legacy.” Which prompted inspiration for a project because combined with her last name. Petersen Legacy, I found it gave a sense of courage, love, support, and motivation. I felt it combined well with the maple leaves that I used on the clock I made. When I think of maple leaves, I think of strength and elegance. I knew one detail needed to be added and that was movement. Because with legacy you leave an impact over time. I made the leaves, hopefully looking like they were flying across the project. The leaves also framed around the picture frames to help highlight other details of the picture. The hardest part was how to carve the leaves to not lose its shape but also give movement in relation to how the background was carved. Sanding was also hard because I had to look at the project at every angle. I was pondering the finish and decided on black with red mahogany for the leaves. I didn’t know what to do with the letters. During the staining process, I did an oops and stained the letters black. It wasn’t bad, however, after I did the leaves red and saw how the color came out. I had a debate on my hands for the letters.  I chose to lighten and even the stain color out with sandpaper and left them black. When the stain dried and I put the clear coat on. I loved how the details came out. I learned to apply movement and character to the work piece. I figured out how to have the art piece stand on its own, or you can build off of it to design the entire wall collection. It was hard for me to keep this a secret till Christmas time, but I was able to. She loved it when she saw it. I loved her response when I said I had a surprise for her. Her response was “oh you and your surprises.”

            Sometimes creating an art piece will be inspired by the family theme and values. Through having a work of art that resembles peace and love. For the Scott Family project, I knew there would be multiple elements included. I chose to add the Salt Lake temple to give personal meaning and connection for the family. Each member of the LDS church usually has a favorite temple. Now the question was to determine what to put on the other side. The project size was about 36 inches in length. The frame size in the center was 7 inches in length for a 5x7 picture. With the main theme goal is family and wanting to feel peace and love while looking at it, flowers came to mind. I found a reference for tulips. I have never done this and figured why not try. Tulips I think of fun adventures outside and enjoying the chirping of birds.

            I completed the different elements, but the background was lacking. The background looked boring to me and didn’t help your eyes want to explore the entire project. But adding to much background detail has the possibility to change the entire look and make it look “to busy,” I chose to use an elegant light texture with a random pattern. With the texture you want to make sure that it’s not too deep. Because it can create a different look. I made sure there was no harsh angles or lines. I used the texture to give frame work and help each major element stand out. When she saw it completed her reaction warmed my heart, because she was speechless and enjoying my work. Something money can never buy.

     I found through my projects there is a balance with how a project is created. Balance for what to add and how to capture the goal or theme you want. Looking at my work I have found some projects that I would consider to be “over done” or “under done.” But how to determine the answer in the moment of creating. A question that I am still trying to figure out. However, my current answer would be, “learn from each project,” and “don’t forget that your skills will improve with each new challenge.” One big thing that helps with it is being patient. One project I would have considered a different finish if I didn’t “rush to just get it done.” I look back at the pictures and realize a different look would have changed the entire project. This is how you learn and grow.

            Mentors, friends, and family who are following and being a part of your journey. There will be roadblocks and hiccups along the way. I have caught myself a few times when people have said “you should have done,” to a finished project. It was frustrating to me initially because they’re usually a person giving the advice that “wasn’t artistic.” However, yes, it’s hard to hear sometimes. I would muddle over what they said as I’m staring at the art piece. I slowly concluded there was some value for their suggestion. Especially because each person can have a different perspective and a fresh look. I learned especially when I have a creative block, that asking for help is important. Inspiration comes in many forms. You are paying it forward by sharing what you love and building priceless treasures in many forms. Through creating memories through the journey, it shows that your potential and possibilities are endless when you fall in love with something.