My theme for the Blogging from A to Z challenge is Creativity. Today I talk about my wonderful mother.
My mother has been my life-long inspiration for creativity. As an artist, singer, and school librarian, she taught me to love all forms of art.
She taught and encouraged me to draw and paint at an early age, supplying me with paints, paper, and an easel. Until I was old enough to take out my own books at the library, she would bring home stacks of books for me to read. I remember calling her up and saying, “Mom, I need more books!” We had lots of books on the shelves, too. After all the kids were gone, and my parents moved to a smaller house, they had a garage sale. And I still wish I had the set of red-leather, beautifully illustrated Childcraft books that they sold. (Since I wrote this, I have a bid up on eBay for an entire set.)
Unfortunately, Mom doesn’t paint or sing anymore due to her age. But I have much of her work hanging in my house.
Her parents saw and encouraged her talent when she was quite young. The story goes that she drew on the wall, and instead of being punished, was complimented on the beautiful drawing. When I was a kid, she did mostly portrait painting. She had a wonderful gift of capturing any person’s likeness. Later in life, she turned to watercolors. Here are some of her paintings hanging in my living room:
Sadly, I didn’t inherit her lovely soprano voice. (I love to sing, but it’s not something you’d ask me to do twice!) In her late 60s and early 70s, Mom sang in the Sacramento Choral Society. One year, my husband and I accompanied her to New York City when the group performed at Carnegie Hall. It was a beautiful, dramatic performance of Carmina Burana. I was so proud of her, and it still makes me teary-eyed when I remember that special evening.
Almost 15 years ago, my husband and I took her on a trip to Europe—England, France, and Italy. Of course, it had been her dream to see the great paintings she’d always studied, and it was a thrill to be able to do that for her. We spent her 70th birthday in a lovely little restaurant in Paris.
So you can see she has been quite an inspiration for me, that she nurtured and encouraged my creativity. My dream has long been to have one of my novels published. Now that it’s finally happening, I can’t wait for her to see it. I truly don’t know if I’d be at this point in my life without her, without her love and encouragement, and the importance of creativity that she instilled in me.
Is there someone special in your life you inspired you and encouraged your creativity?
Linda Covella, Author 
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been surrounded by books. It also started with my mum. When we were growing up, she had a Reader’s Digest subscription, and the house was always filled with those RD Condensed Books as well as the small monthly RD books. We were also members of the local library.
I can remember looking forward to those Girls Annual books… it was always easy to buy me a gift!
Our mums are special, aren’t they? What a blessing!
Writer In Transit
Michelle, yes, mom’s are the best! I remember those Reader’s Digest condensed books, too. 🙂 Thanks for telling me about your mum and memories.
What a special post, Linda. Brought tears to my eyes. Your mom is such of lovely, special person. I look up to my mom when making decisions, in the sense that I think: what would she do? There’s no substitute for a life experience to take lessons from, especially when coming from the most loving, trusted person — Mom.
Thanks, Silvia. Our mothers can be great role models as well as our most ardent supporters!
A beautiful tribute. She must be so proud of you, too. -Chrissie
Thank you, Chrissie. 🙂
I have a wonderful critique group that inspires me over and over. Lucky me!
Jen, one of my fabulous critique partners (and Chrissie Pollock) yes, I agree! 🙂
My mom was pretty important to me, too. She read me Tolkien when I was too young to read it for myself 🙂
good luck with the second half of the challenge!
Gene’O, wow, that’s impressive! Thanks for stopping by. Good luck to you, too. I enjoyed your post on Motifs!
Those paintings are absolutely gorgeous! She has a real talent for it. So wonderful.
For me, it was definitely my dad who has encouraged me every step of the way to be creative. 🙂
Thank you, Alex. 🙂 So great to have a parent or someone in your life encouraging your creativity, isn’t it?