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Doing it Afraid: How one Woman Came to Life through Painting with Artist Libby Scheele

I’m taking a break in the month of February to rest, refresh, and refill, and so I’m sharing some of my previous episodes that I really enjoyed and whose messages are really resonating with me — still — even today. I hope they speak to a need you have, as well. Thank you for continuing to listen… and I’ll be back with new episodes soon.  

We don’t always know whom we are meant to be when we are young, but if we are observant, there are clues everywhere. For Libby Scheele, they were obvious in her fascination with color and texture and a variety of materials that could be used in artistic endeavors. When she didn’t have ‘real’ art supplies, she expressed her creativity by arranging rocks and sticks.

Today, her work is much more sophisticated, as are her tools… even though they are the basics of an artist: high quality pigmented paints, good paper, sharp pencils, brushes, and permission to take the time required to allow the vision in her mind to emerge.

Libby studied art at university, but then was married and had three small children at home; there wasn’t time or space for art. But then she was introduced to the concept of an ‘artist’s date’ by a friend who further encouraged her to carve out some space in her home that was just for her. She did; it was in the furnace room! Not ideal, but it worked… and today she has a more spacious studio room in the home she shares with husband, Paul.

In today’s episode, Laura and Libby have an animated and sometimes emotional conversation about how their inner artists called to them, spoke to them, and finally drew them out into the act of creation, even though in the beginning you sometimes have to ‘do it afraid.’ It was also one of the things that drew them to each other at their first meeting. Libby describes it as a “spark when you’re in space with another artist.”

Libby shares the story of wanting to create art so badly that she called an artist and asked for a job as her assistant even though she had no experience, no portfolio… just an undeniable desire to learn and a willingness to do whatever it took to move forward.

You’ll want to listen in as she shares stories of pivotal moments in her growth and awakening as an artist, of the investments she continues to make in working with artists further along the path who are doing work she admires and longs to do herself, and of how important it’s been to find her own creative style, rhythm, and arena.

While Libby would feel compelled to sketch and paint regardless, she is currently driven by an altruistic impulse to create a body of work for her collectors that will, in turn, help to pay off the medical bills of a family member.

If you’re interested in learning more about Libby and the things she and Laura discussed today, check out these links:

Jeffrey Hurinenko – Old Master Techniques
Joe Paquet – Plein Air Landscape Painter
Libby’s Bio
By age 5, it was obvious that Libby was fascinated with color and the world around her.  Her parents would often find her sitting outside, patiently watching the sunset, exclaiming that “indigo was the next color.”
A retired art teacher, Neola Johnson, became her first mentor at age 8. Neola would ask her questions such as “what is beauty?” and “what is art?” These questions became the start of a passionate search for answers, which of course always led to more questions.
Libby attended the University of Minnesota, majoring in Art Education. She spent many years sharing her love of art with children in schools and summer camps. In 1995, she began a career as a mural painter having been trained by muralist Tricia Farrell. It was a joy to bring her client’s artistic dreams and wishes to life.
In 2007, she continued her fine art studies at the Hurinenko & Paquet Studio, learning Old Master portrait painting and plein air painting.
Libby is a member of the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and the Minnesota Figure Study Collaborative.

 

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Doing it Afraid: How one Woman Came to Life through Painting with Artist Libby Scheele EP: 22

We don’t always know whom we are meant to be when we are young, but if we are observant, there are clues everywhere. For Libby Scheele, they were obvious in her fascination with color and texture and a variety of materials that could be used in artistic endeavors. When she didn’t have ‘real’ art supplies, she expressed her creativity by arranging rocks and sticks.

Today, her work is much more sophisticated, as are her tools… even though they are the basics of an artist: high quality pigmented paints, good paper, sharp pencils, brushes, and permission to take the time required to allow the vision in her mind to emerge.

Libby studied art at university, but then was married and had three small children at home; there wasn’t time or space for art. But then she was introduced to the concept of an ‘artist’s date’ by a friend who further encouraged her to carve out some space in her home that was just for her. She did; it was in the furnace room! Not ideal, but it worked… and today she has a more spacious studio room in the home she shares with husband, Paul.

In today’s episode, Laura and Libby have an animated and sometimes emotional conversation about how their inner artists called to them, spoke to them, and finally drew them out into the act of creation, even though in the beginning you sometimes have to ‘do it afraid.’ It was also one of the things that drew them to each other at their first meeting. Libby describes it as a “spark when you’re in space with another artist.”

Libby shares the story of wanting to create art so badly that she called an artist and asked for a job as her assistant even though she had no experience, no portfolio… just an undeniable desire to learn and a willingness to do whatever it took to move forward.

You’ll want to listen in as she shares stories of pivotal moments in her growth and awakening as an artist, of the investments she continues to make in working with artists further along the path who are doing work she admires and longs to do herself, and of how important it’s been to find her own creative style, rhythm, and arena.

While Libby would feel compelled to sketch and paint regardless, she is currently driven by an altruistic impulse to create a body of work for her collectors that will, in turn, help to pay off the medical bills of a family member.

If you’re interested in learning more about Libby and the things she and Laura discussed today, check out these links:

Jeffrey Hurinenko – Old Master Techniques
Joe Paquet – Plein Air Landscape Painter
Libby’s Bio
By age 5, it was obvious that Libby was fascinated with color and the world around her.  Her parents would often find her sitting outside, patiently watching the sunset, exclaiming that “indigo was the next color.”
A retired art teacher, Neola Johnson, became her first mentor at age 8. Neola would ask her questions such as “what is beauty?” and “what is art?” These questions became the start of a passionate search for answers, which of course always led to more questions.
Libby attended the University of Minnesota, majoring in Art Education. She spent many years sharing her love of art with children in schools and summer camps. In 1995, she began a career as a mural painter having been trained by muralist Tricia Farrell. It was a joy to bring her client’s artistic dreams and wishes to life.
In 2007, she continued her fine art studies at the Hurinenko & Paquet Studio, learning Old Master portrait painting and plein air painting.
Libby is a member of the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and the Minnesota Figure Study Collaborative.

 

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Resistance is Part of the Journey, an Artist’s perspective with Award-Winning Artist Connie Moeller EP:14

You’ve probably experienced this: You’re working hard at creating something new, feeling like you’re building momentum and then, WHAM! You’re kicked back by something unexpected… sometimes something really devastating. You might say you were ‘frustrated…’

That’s how Artist, Connie Moeller, described her reaction when she received her breast cancer diagnosis a few years ago. She had finally given herself permission to spend her time painting, bringing some beauty and a sense of peace to others through her work, and then this… Frustration and a sense of disbelief that it could actually be happening to her.


Connie’s mom and sister both died from breast cancer, so it wasn’t unthinkable that Connie might also develop this insidious disease, but she had been very actively focused on doing all the things she could do to be as healthy as possible. It wasn’t enough. But today, cancer-free and rebuilding her strength, she says she’s thankful for it.

The experience made her stronger, forced her to be vulnerable in numerous ways, allowed her to share a story that touched the lives of countless others, and to come closer to God in the process.

This is just part of the story of today’s episode of Making Space for Conversations that Matter. Over the course of this funny, poignant, and inspiring conversation, Laura and Connie cover topics including: Art and creativity as an aid in healing, what it means to release yourself to the flow of what’s seeking to emerge from you and being transformed in the process, confronting the feelings of selfishness and inadequacy in claiming what your spirit is calling you to become, and how when we are in the flow of our gifts we can fully expect to experience resistance, roadblocks, and obstacles. They also spend a little time discussing the power of erroneous beliefs and thinking about what we are capable of, the meanings of things, and how society tells us we are supposed to do life.

This episode will warm your heart, have you gazing at Connie’s paintings, and wishing you’d taken the time to brew a good cup of tea before you settled in to listen!

To jump right to the resources discussed, look here:

The War of Artbook
Tamarack (Artist’s Collective / Gallery in WV)
Connie Mae Art Studio
Melody Allen Studio

You can also find Connie and her art on Facebook and Instagram – ConnieMaeStudio

Connie’s Bio

She says… “I love nature and find beauty in the ordinary, such as how sunshine hits a leaf, how a drop of water reflects color, and how light and shadows create design. I love the process of exploring detail, slowing down to discover and translate the beauty I see into a painting. In a world of stress, struggle, and hurry, beauty brings hope, and I desire to share hope and a sense of peace with others through my paintings.”

West Virginia artist Connie Mae Moeller grew up hiking in Michigan’s woods, drawing and painting from her experiences. She majored in fine art at Spring Arbor University and received additional education at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art. Her early works were accepted into juried shows and galleries receiving honorable mentions. For several years, Connie’s artistic attention was devoted to teaching art classes. Since moving to West Virginia in 2012, she enjoys the state’s wild and wonderful outdoors, and her art celebrates the beauty she finds. Her paintings have won awards and been accepted into several juried shows. An active member of her community, she has served on her local council for the arts and contributes to educational art programs. Professional memberships include Tamarack: The Best of WV & Allied Artists of WV.

To peruse Connie’s impressive list of Awards and Notices, click here.
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