Today we’d like to introduce you to Glenda Freeman.
Hi Glenda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a single mother of a beautiful little girl who has taught me to enjoy whatever life may bring. Since the age of six I have always dreamed of being an Artist and I am so grateful to see my dreams come to fruition. I was born in Chonburi, Thailand on November 17, 1971, the daughter of an African American military father and Thai mother. Growing up in both cultures has shaped my life and my art. Born into a mixture of eastern and western cultures that do not always mesh; Buddhism has been both a sanctuary and a well in which to draw strength and clarity from the cultural clashes within my life.
I am a self-taught Artist with a bachelor’s in Fine Arts, a Master’s in Education, and MBA. During my Master’s in Education program, my thesis discussed how art has helped survivors of domestic violence. I have been working as a professional Artist since 2003, my work is both a reflection of my beliefs and an integral part of my Buddhist path, but also it is the product of my life experiences; other times it is the path I use to work toward Samma San kappa (right thinking).
As a survivor of domestic violence, art has become my sanctuary in my healing process. During my abusive marriage, I recall painting and drawing, which helped me maintain my sanity during that time of madness within my life. After leaving my abusive marriage, I worked as a waitress at my mother’s restaurant. I pursued my dream in 2003 after being laid off as an Office Manager for an advertising firm. From 1992-1997 I served in the United States Army as an Administrative Assistant and Mistress of Ceremonies for prestigious events while stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Korea, and have spoken in front of crowds as large as 25,000 and more.
I have shown my work throughout the United States and was featured on the television show “The Art of Living Gallery” http://youtu.be/zQTcdX_NxTg, on the Veria Channel, I discuss how art has helped me heal from domestic violence. I also participated in the making of “Portrait of Abuse: An American Epidemic,” http://youtu.be/SQeS4nts1Kw; the film tells the ugly truth about domestic violence and the tragic epidemic numbers going on in America today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Following my dream as an artist has been one of the most difficult and rewarding professions I have ever chosen. Even as I sit here and think about some of my past obstacles and challenges, I would have still chosen this path. Pursuing your dreams requires you to dig deep within your soul and take a leap of faith, trusting that the Universe has your back. Just recently I faced one of my biggest challenges and a test of my faith. On June 24th this year all of my art and some of my personal belongings were auctioned off because I could no longer afford the storage fee. Yes, I was dying inside and I cried for several nights, but at the same time I told myself if it’s meant to be, it will be. That night after the auction I asked the universe to bring what belongs to me back, after that, I no longer thought about what I had lost. On June 26th I received a call from the person who purchased my storage unit we met on the 4th of July, and now I have all of my artwork back with me. I still cry every time I think about it because my art is such is a big part of who I am, and I can’t see myself doing anything else.
I know there are many other professions that I could choose to do, but at the same time, my soul would feel empty. I love being able to wake up in the morning and paint for 15 to 20 hours straight without having to answer to anyone but myself. My desire to live off my art is nothing new; my perseverance and trust in divine timing bring me peace knowing my art career will blossom just as a lotus flower does within the mud. The lotus flower is a reminder to me that in order to grow and gain wisdom, you have to go through the mud (obstacles and challenges).
If I had to sum up my obstacles and challenges during this journey, I would list them as such:
1) Learning how to stay true to who I am as an artist, understanding that someone else’s path is not mine; what worked for someone else does not mean it will work for me.
2) Learning to accept what life brings and trust that everything happens for a reason; if it’s meant to be, it will be.
3) Being flexible along my journey, stop trying to control everything
4) Continue to have perseverance and remain focused on my path
5) Accepting that rejection is my protection
6) Embrace every opportunity that comes my way and learns to live in the moment.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an abstract expressionist artist. Art stimulates my senses and speaks to my soul; it creates a connection between me and the world I live in. I paint what I feel, every feeling is captured by the spontaneous movement of my brush being placed upon the canvas. Unlike other artists, I don’t sketch my work out first, the sketch is in my head; I just paint what I see within my head. If I can’t see it in my head first, I can’t paint it; in so many ways, I am manifesting this vision/painting onto the canvas.
When I paint, I see myself applying the paint to the canvas within my head; I mimic what I see within my visions and apply it to the canvas. Within my head, all I see are shapes and colors; the end result is a surprise to me, which is what I love the most about my art; I never know what I am creating until it is finished. So, I’m really not looking at the canvas as a whole; I am just applying the shapes and colors as they appear in my head and applying it to the canvas.
Painting is a spiritual experience for me, there are times I feel like I am having an out-of-body experience when I paint; it’s like my soul is looking down at myself while I paint. My goal is to inspire those who see my work to look carefully within themselves to discover their deepest darkest secrets.
If you want to learn more about me, look carefully at my art.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
On Sundays, my father would take the family out for a drive, and we would go to Dairy Queen for ice cream and to the park.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glendafreeman.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glenda_g_freeman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/G.FreemanArtistry
- Other: https://linktr.ee/gfreemanartistry
