Alice Young Great Bend, KansasArtist's Statement
I began painting after a long illness which required me to retire from teaching. I began painting in oils and experimented with acrylics and other media. I wanted to teach myself composition so I began using collage techniques, gluing pieces down with white glue. Collecting papers from various sources and painting many of my own papers were the resources used in my early works. I took a few painting classes from the community college. Most of my classmates were ladies in their seventies and eighties. Originality and experimentation were not encouraged. I did my own thing and they soon learned to tolerate me. Over time I was invited to show my paintings in local galleries, at the the public library and participated in a two person show in Ellsworth, Kansas. While many view my paintings as somewhat strange, occasionally I sell a painting. I try to view each piece as an experiment and find that each painting wants to "create itself". I love what I do and my spirit is free as I work through the challenges of making art.
