the art & soul of
theresa gaylord
F
in mind. “I don’t draw anything out on the canvas, I don’t
the family. In fact, some of her most cherished
have any subject in mind. I take my paintbrush and dip
Many have often asked why she hasn’t chosen to teach
memories are of growing up watching her fa-
it into the paint – any color – and brush random strokes,
art, but Theresa feels the calling to create is best left dis-
ther draw original cartoon characters for her
then I stand back and look at it. I flip the canvas around
covered by the artist within. “How can one teach how to
and her sister. Thanks to their father’s passion,
until I see what it wants me to paint. Do I see a ship? A
paint? Every artist has her own style of painting, his own
both girls were bitten by the art bug. After watching her
hammer? To me, this process is like the birth of a painting.”
brush stroke, her own image implanted in the brain. To
older sister take art classes in high school, Theresa be-
There’s one element that remains the same on each paint-
teach someone to paint is to give him a blank canvas and
came completely fascinated with the world of creation on
ing, however. Once each piece is completed, Theresa signs
watch as he finds his own style, stroke, etc.” She does,
canvas.
“DD” on the canvas to give honor to her father.
however, encourage aspiring artists to take drawing lessons. “Learn the basics. It’s like learning to crawl before
Over time, art became an escape for Theresa. “I didn’t
An artist usually feels somewhat vulnerable when her
choose to be an artist… it more or less saved me. When
work is on display. This is something Theresa has had to
I was in elementary school, I was bullied. I was very shy
grow accustomed to over the years. “When I first started
Although her work hasn’t won any art awards so far, The-
and skinny, and I wore glasses. Once I started to draw
selling my paintings, I would have to take my husband
resa has received much more than that. “I don’t want to be
and paint, it became an escape for me. Even today, I sink
with me. I couldn’t watch people staring at my work. It
awarded with an actual trophy or ribbon. Being awarded,
myself into every painting to the point that I almost go co-
still bothers me, but I have learned to study their faces, to
to me, is when the person falls in love with a painting I have
matose. My husband can talk to me for an hour while I’m
see their first reactions and where their eyes go onto the
created.” Recently, she joined The Black Creek Gallery and
painting, and I won’t hear a word he is saying!”
painting. I try to follow their eyes to see if they travel from
has entered two upcoming art shows. “I keep selling the
works I want to show!”
you walk and run.”
A retired florist, Theresa’s main focus for the past three
place to place on the canvas.” Over the years, painting has
years has been art. “I make myself learn every day. I go
changed her. “It has made me a little more introverted and
According to Theresa, the path she’s chosen as an artist
through many art groups online and study every detail of
has calmed me down. I don’t worry so much about what
is going to be a long one; but, when times get tough, she
the artists’ works, from lighting to perspectives and col-
people think of me anymore, I just want them to love my
often glances at the portrait of her parents that hangs in
ors. To me, painting isn’t just a hobby, it’s my life.” She
work.”
her studio and reflects upon the great artist in her life and
is known as the Painter of Dreams. “I try to make each
Her desire to create the perfect image sometimes gets
the impact he’s had upon her. “My father was raised during
painting touch some memory or some connection to the
the best of her. “I did a painting of Jesus Christ once. There
the Great Depression, and he had a wife and seven chil-
viewer’s life. If the painting does not cause some kind of
was no end! It had to be perfect, and it was actually driving
dren to feed. He had no idea that those little doodles and
emotion inside of the viewer, I did something wrong.”
me batty. I had to make myself stop, because I was never
cartoons would save me and build me into an artist I hope
satisfied with the end result. With almost all my paintings,
to someday be… one he would be proud of.”
She admits that she never has a predetermined painting
I could have worked on them a lot longer.”
or Ohio native Theresa Gaylord, art runs in
SHEMAGAZINE.COM
NOVEMBER 2015
75