Emerald Hill (2006) Painting by Raymona Glidden

Growing up in a small, New England town I always wondered what lied beyond. My hometown, less than 5000, one blinking stop light, couple of mom and pop stores, a great pizza/deli place, a great homemade donut shop, the local schools, and the church. A couple of miles and the main street was done and gone. Home, though a small town is where I lived and learned much of what I know now. There was not a lot to do back there but we managed. I come from a fairly large family and I am close to them. They are important to me. Once I turned eighteen though I was ready to experience the world. Living on my own, working, classes, friends and everything else. Within a few years though I was ready for more, something I had yet to find, then comes central Texas. It was here that I first started painting seriously. I quickly found my niche to express my emotions, my thoughts and feelings in a way I had yet to.

Inspiration for me came from my experiences with the people around me, in and out of my daily life.
The vast expanse of nature, birds soaring in the sky, the bright, vivid colors of the changing seasons, the warmnth of the sun all around me, the gentle thunder of the ocean waves crashing against the sand, are inspiring thoughts and evoke emotions from deep within. Reaching that and translating those feelings to the canvas are what makes being an artist worthwhile.

Being an artist, being human, feeling alive and painting go hand in hand for me. Painting allows me to breath a breath of fresh air. I have always been creative, but as a teenager I remember my parents saying that "art wont pay the bills", understanding only years later what that statement really meant...they have always been on the practical side of things and only meant that they wanted me to be able to provide for myself and my family. I am sure that almost every artist in the world has heard this statement from their parents or even others. I do not take it to heart and have learned and felt the generosity of my parents support as an artist for several years now. I began painting again in my early twenties when an unlikely source reintroduced me to the idea of it-I have stopped little since.

In the last few years, I have recently begun doing commission work for patrons of my art. I have participated in the last two local art society art auctions. I have displayed my work through local venues and on the internet. I support my other fellow artisans by purchasing, collecting their artwork and attending their shows. I truly enjoy meeting and getting to know other artists and the work that they do.

I have been painting for several years now and what painting has become for me is an expression of who I am in; what's in my heart and my mind. I look to challenge myself with each new style of painting that I do. Right now I am currently working on creating a whole new body of work so keep your eyes out for that later this year. 'Til then good day to all.

• Nationality: UNITED STATES
• Date of birth : 1976
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary American Artists