HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Hey! I'm glad you're here. I'm excited to share a piece of me with you. Michelangelo and DaVinci both had art journals. If they lived in the 21st century, they would have had art blogs. Maybe. DaVinci said,

"Those who become enamoured of the practice of art, without having previously applied to the diligent study of the scientific part of it, may be compared to mariners, who put to sea in a ship without rudder or compass, and therefore cannot be certain of arriving at the wished-for port. Practice must always be founded on good theory..."

Darin Ashby is teaching and mentoring me in classical academic oil painting. This is a huge deal because I'm learning the theory, the science, and the art of painting the way the masters did centuries ago. No one is doing classical art, and they really honestly should be. I've always wanted to find my passion, and I know I've found it. One night, Kelly, Rosemary, Darin and I painted from 9 am - midnight. Darin said, "anyone with the desire to learn this can do this, but I'm afraid you're addicted." 

I'm afraid he's right.

I met Darin after a friend's family dinner one day. My colleague Matt and I were spending the summer of 2013 working in Sandy for Crowdfund Capital Advisors, for the two thought leaders on crowdfunding. Matt has a cousin in South Jordan who invited us over for dinner. Matt's cousin told us that her daughter Cassie was taking painting lessons from a man in South Jordan and invited us to come. All I could think about was all the things I had left to do, but Matt seemed excited about it, and I figured an extra half hour wouldn't hurt. 

We drive up to this beautiful home in this cul-de-sac that overlooks the Utah valley mountain ranges, and as soon as we walk in his house we see classical pieces, fit for a museum. At the same time, this house is very clearly a home, with sketches and pictures of the children and of the whole family. Darin is a father to four beautiful, talented girls, and that becomes very evident as you take in scattered pink tops and brightly covered blankets that could have only been left behind by his children. We walk downstairs into his studio and I see a painting of the candlestick scene of Les Miserables in verdaccio. I see a seven foot tall work in progress of Christ. I see a reproduction of a Rembrandt in the back corner. Two girls are working on their first painting in the middle of the studio. But what really impressed me was Darin. He was so welcoming, and introduced us to the craft--the techniques, the history. He was ever patient to my constant stream of questions. 

I think to myself, wow, I have to be a part of this. 

So I signed on, and have been painting ever since.

Love \\ Christelle