How does painting enter into our lives? Some painters are born with talent. Others take classes and attain degrees. Still others have disabilities and use art as a strategy to survive.I fit a little into many of these categories. However we get here, most painters cannot imagine their lives without a brush in their hand, and I am no exception. I especially enjoy the experience of new places to paint and new materials to use.I moved to Missouri from California in 2005 and began painting almost immediately. The Springfield Art Museum was my invaluable starting point. Classes at MSU have also been challenging yet very rewarding. Joining local art groups has further developed my skills. Springfield Plein Air (SPA) helped me to learn how to really see local color and edit my compositions. I find enjoyment in the process of creating paintings as much as viewing the finished product. Content with each small step forward, I find painting to be deeply gratifying.

Carol Snyder