I began painting for the first time in January 2011, looking for a way to explore my creative

side. My style is called “process painting” which is also known as “painting from the source.”

This means simply being present, paying attention to how I feel, choosing colors and brushes

that appeal to me, and putting paint and brush to paper or canvas or whatever. I developed

this style of painting under the guidance of Pamela Hawkins, local artist, art medicine woman

and graphic designer, who provided a studio place and space for people like me to develop

and reveal what was hidden within.

I was so taken with the experience that when I returned home I went out and purchased

supplies to create a mini studio in my own home. I never looked back.

Starting with tempera on paper, I painted my way through 2011. “Abundance” manifested

itself in summertime, charming me with its spirit of hope. After having it framed, I held that

painting in my hands and proclaimed aloud for the first time in my life, “I am an artist.”

Pam taught me through several sessions over the next few years that I am the painter, I am

the paint, and I am the painting. I learned that there is no judgment in process painting,

because there is no right or wrong. Plus, if I was drawn to painting the same thing again and

again, I learned that I should do just that, which is why you will see many swirls and circles in

my work. I was given the freedom to discover myself in a safe and loving environment, and I

blossomed abundantly.

Thought I evolved over the years to acrylic on canvas, playing a bit with different textures and

techniques, my overall process remains the same. What colors are calling to me? Do I feel like

creating broad strokes? Circles? Swirls? An abstract landscape? How much I want to move

influences the size canvas I select. I’m often surprised and always delighted at what pours out.

A colleague once saw a painting of mine and asked “Did this come from your head?!?”

“No,” I replied, “it came from my heart.”

Annette Hadley, artist and owner of Abundance Art LLC