I am a blessed mother of four and married to my best friend of 30 years. We live in beautiful Northeast Texas on a 50 acre farm surrounded by rolling pasture. We have raised goats, pigs, cattle, ducks, geese, heritage turkeys and just about every chicken breed imaginable. My love of country life has inspired a talent to paint that I never knew I had.

 

I have the greatest honor of being a stay at home mom. We have proudly raised three sons and a daughter who are the joy of our lives. Our homestead in the country has been a wonderful place to raise a family and has allowed us to indulge in our many passions. If I'm not outside working on our farm, I am likely in the kitchen chasing my other passion!

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I always talked about selling antiques at a local flea market and a few years ago, when our youngest entered high school, I went for it. I love collecting antiques and my husband loved the idea of me selling them! I decided to reserve a little spot under the trees at one of the biggest flea markets in Texas. My love affair with Canton First Monday Trade Days began. I quickly learned that display is everything. When everyone looks the same, unique sells. I had a crazy idea. Why not paint some of our chickens on the pressure treated barn siding leftover from our chicken coop? Daringly, I thought, "This will turn heads", and grabbed the largest piece in the pile. My daughter, Katherine, asked me what I was doing. I said "I'm painting a chicken". She laughed and said, "You can't paint chickens". When my very first piece was complete, she saw it and smiled, "I guess you can paint". My career as an artist was born.

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That month, I brought 32 paintings to the flea market and intermingled them in my display. One of my first customers was a lovely couple who had a shop in Oklahoma. They bought all 32 paintings! I have been painting farm animals ever since. I found what I believe is a God-given talent. I have had the support and love of my family through this entire journey and I am eternally grateful.

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Emily