My Personal Journey to Becoming an Artist

Cyndee Banister

I was on my way to my job as a Nurse's Aide one afternoon when it hit me. I couldn't do this any more. I couldn't deal with over 70 catty women sniping behind my back. I couldn't get up in the morning, take care of dishes, laundry, housework and yardwork then get ready to do a full afternoon shift.

I couldn't miss tucking my kids into bed or spending time with my husband. In short - I had a nervous breakdown.

I was burned out from caring too much for the old folks who I served but we needed the money. I felt trapped. I couldn't quit my job - but I couldn't do it any more.

My doctor put me on stress leave. While there, I kept asking myself, "What CAN I do?" And I prayed for God to show me my gifts and my talents.

One afternoon, while having coffee with a new friend, I discovered she'd been trained to be a professional artist. But her eyesight was failing her and she felt she needed to pass along her knowledge before she couldn't any more.

We got together at her house and I discovered a long lost abilty to draw. Darlene encouraged me and pretty soon, I was able to complete some pretty amazing drawings.

Darlene kept me drawing with pencil for quite a while. She would tell me that using color would come - but the best artists had to master drawing before they could start to paint.

To be continued...