PAINTING WORLD MAGAZINE
41
PASSING THE PAINTBRUSH... By Teri Walker
ARTISTS HELPING ARTISTS The Gift of Mentorship
Do you remember the first time you picked up a paintbrush? You probably experienced a myriad of emotions. Did you have doubts about your ability to paint or did you push that fear aside and challenge yourself? Were you afraid of rejection or did you paint only to please yourself? Artists experience many feelings every time they create. That is why it is important to find a mentor and a supporter. If you are lucky, they will be one and the same. All artists benefit from encouragement, acceptance, and praise from others whose personal opinion matter. Many years ago, I was lucky enough to find both a mentor and supporter. She believed in my ability when I did not. She is the one who made me realize just how much self-doubt will kill your talent. Not only did she teach me to paint, but she also taught me to believe in myself and have the courage to step out of my comfort zone to try new things. My mentor, and a lifelong friend, is Norma Dee Hickman. A self-taught artist who lives in north Louisiana. After a career as a professional singer, she picked up a paintbrush and for the rest of her adult life, has painted professionally. Norma created “Bayou Artists Ltd.,” and taught painting to students from many states. It was an honor to be admitted into her group. In the early years of her career, Norma was offered a membership in the prestigious “American Masters”, but family obligations kept her from accepting. Norma Hickman has an eerie ability to bring out hidden talents in others. Under her leadership,
the members of B.A.L. formed a kinship that went beyond merely learning to paint. Norma guided us through all the ups and downs that life brings. And although, everyone painted different subjects, each stroke of the brush was made with emotion. Norma taught us that the canvas always reflects one’s innermost feelings, good or bad because art is the truest expression of the soul. Being a mentor is a divine legacy, because it gives one the power to influence another person’s life. Norma changed our lives with her patience, encouragement, and loving heart. She never gave up, so neither did we. I hope you have someone in your life that has helped you on your artistic journey. And if you have the opportunity, I encourage you to share your passion with the younger generation. Do not let the knowledge you have spent a lifetime acquiring fade into the forgotten pages of yesterday. Schools are mainly focused on technology, therefore pushing handson art even further in the background. Art is vitally important, for it defines a culture. Mentors are vitally important for they define the artist. Norma Dee Hickman’s works of art can be found in many private collections throughout the United States, but I believe her greatest legacy will always be her students, for through them, her influence will “Pass the Paintbrush,” to generations not yet born. And so, can yours. (Norma Hickman can be reached at: normahickman21@gmail.com for more information)
DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE
