The beginning of my journey toward my Master's Degree in Arts and Mental Health

I am Ellen Lyon,  a 57 year old woman, mother of four, "stay at home mom", supportive wife of Pastor Lyon, and manager of our church thrift shop.  I am embarking on a new journey toward my Master's Degree in Art and Mental Health.  After completing the first class in Qualitative Research, I am confident that I have the skills to proceed to the further challenges of what the college will expect of me.  I look forward to learning new skills in art as I explore different mediums.  And I especially look forward to being creative in the reflections that come from each project.  As I continually apply different art principles to my personal life, I am able to confirm the pieces of wisdom I have picked up along life's journey.  It will be exciting to be able to post pictures of my art pieces and include those reflections in this blog.  Having this blog available for my teachers will enable them to make  comments to critique and encourage me in this way of learning and documenting my works.

I try to make art a part of my every day life.  I enjoy being creative every chance I get.  When I am creative, it fills a need in me to express myself in a colorful way.  If I'm in the kitchen creating a meal, or dessert, I never make it the same way twice, because that takes the fun out of it.  If I'm painting a picture, I feel free to experiment and just enjoy the colors that I put on the fabric or canvas.  If I had my way and had more time, I would be painting or creating something with my hands every day.

I have several art goals that I see for my near future.  One is to be able to complete my Masters in Art and Mental health so that I can have an avenue to help others who are struggling to find their life purpose. Another is to be able to find my niche in the art world and blossom to the point of becoming a successful artist. By successful, I mean making enough art that I can sell it, and interesting and/or beautiful enough that others will buy it.   Thirdly, I 'd like to be comfortable "drawing from within", something I've never really thought much about before.  If I learn how to do that with ease, it will make it easier for me to help others to do the same, in order for them to express how they are really feeling.