Dancing Tulips, watercolor, 30 x 40 in.
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Birgit O'Connor's 7 Things
1 My mother
She so admired my uncle in Germany, who was a gold medal watercolorist, and she spoke of him often. As a child, I listened to her stories, and wanted my mother to be as proud of me as she was of my uncle.
2 Nay-sayers
Not having a formal education, many people said I would never be successful as an artist. Being young at the time, blonde, and a stay-at-home mother, many people didn’t take me seriously. One woman told me not to even bother doing watercolors because that was for geniuses and children. (Well, I wonder which one I am—I do play a lot.) I remember how some other artists with the formal education and attitude would make me feel so bad, sometimes to a point of being paralyzed from doing my art, that it could take days to recover and start painting again. Funny how I never see any of those artists doing art now!
3 Anger and passion
In my earlier years, balancing a family, home, and teaching myself painting took a lot of time, and others said I could not succeed. It pushed me further. The anger was the fuel, and the passion was the drive. Once I had my bearings, it was time to release the anger, the fuel, which could turn to poison if not balanced.
4 Children
My intention in following my dreams of being an artist was to show my children or with others that whatever you dream—no matter your lack of education, limitations, or other obstacles—you can achieve. To overcome these obstacles, you must continue moving forward toward your goal. If detours or blocks get in the way, just move to the side and take a slightly different path because your road may not be like most of the others.
5 Nature
Nature moves and inspires me, so going for walks twice a day in nature helps me to reconnect with my spiritual and creative side. My walking meditations open my mind to shapes, color energy, and essence. If I am in a town too long without more space or land around me, I get crabby and feel boxed in. I need space, land, and nature.
6 Animals
When I go for walks, the neighborhood dogs and crows follow me for a little treat. I find wounded and abandoned animals—deer, seals, hawks, and pelicans, among others, which I help. The connection with the animals and nature are so important to my creative soul. Being an artist, I feel energy or some connection to these little creatures.
7 Music
Allowing music to move my soul when painting helps to eliminate the over-processing of a painting and capture the simplicity and essence. When I paint, I like to turn on something that’s really moving, that has a lot of bass.
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