Grace Woodall

Artist Statement:

When I think about my life and all that I have done, I have been many things to other people. I have been a daughter, a friend, a student, a wife, a teacher, and a stay-at-home mom. I lived most of my life calling myself anything but an artist. I'm artsy, I'm crafty, or I just enjoy studying art and never good enough. It took the first 30-40 years of my life to become my own person - To question and think, who am I? and who do I want to be? What does that look like? I let other people define who I was according to what they wanted me to be. Now as a grown adult with children of my own - I'm finding myself, taking ownership of my choices and making my own path. Finding the confidence and voice necessary to express myself and allow myself to create. Not for anyone else, not because I want to please anyone but because it brings me joy and is life giving. I have titled this "Freedom: Taking Flight" because that's what I'm doing. I'm allowing myself to create solely for me, to create what I view as beautiful. I am allowing my emotions to seep out into my art, breaking free and seeking to find my true self. To be unafraid, bold, purely happy and content. Butterflies exhibit this so well to me; they start as worms and wrap themselves up to be born again - this new self that brings so much joy and beauty to life. They do this by merely existing and sharing their beauty with the world.

Artist Bio:

I received a BFA in Studio Art/ Photography, an MA in Art Education and taught elementary students the basics of and joy in art for 4 years.