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What is the artist's idea behind each work of art? Where and why does the beginning begin? What are the passions and rewards behind the idea?

Karen Chatham's Creative Idea

Funny Faces on Flower Pots

Carolyn Tibbetts' Creative Idea

Granddaughter Clara's Portrait

Chatham's creative ideas are crazy faces attached to flower pots. She explains, "I started making these pots because my sister, Jennie, loves flowers and asked me to make a pot for her. I can't just make a simple pot! An idea popped into my head to put something crazy on it and that was the beginning of my crazy pot making." So Chatham's idea was a fortunate stroke of serendipity. The idea developed by chance and it became beneficial for not only her sister (she got a crazy pot), but also for Chatham who had created a different outlet for her clay making activities. 

On the other hand, Tibbetts' creative idea was a seed planted by years of painting for her grandkids. Each one picked something for grandma (Tibbetts) to paint for them. Like Tibbetts relates, she painted a monster truck, a train, a princess, a lizard and a number of other interesting things. By way of this experience, she had learned a lot about creating and painting. Tibbetts said, "I wanted them all to be perfect and in the process I discovered the passion and creativity that has led me on my (art) journey. By the time they grew up I had learned enough to be able to paint their portraits." And she has, remarkably well. Tibbetts adds, "They are painted with love in every brush stroke."

Granddaughter Hannah's Portrait

Being passionate about something has its intrinsic rewards. Besides creating a tangible work of art, each of these two artists share the same personal reward. Chatham and Tibbetts are having FUN! building pots and painting portraits, respectively.

Karen Chatham

Chatham says, "I love to make crazy faces. Aliens are my favorites." "I laugh out loud when I make these crazy faces! It's so much fun!" Chatham looks so happy and pleased in her personal photo, (right), nestled among her crazy faces and creatures. (BTW: Chatham teaches clay hand building techniques and crazy pot making at Desert Sun Ceramics in Moab, Utah.

Carolyn Tibbetts

Tibbetts has fun, too, and makes new friends through her art activities. She is also thankful for her family and two local Moab folks, Sue Brady and Howard McPherson, for making such fun really happen.

Tibbetts' devotion to art has allowed her to fulfill her lifetime dreams in two ways. She has reached her dream of being able to paint well. What a personal reward! 

She has also taught her grandkids a life lesson. Tibbetts explains, "My grandson came into the gallery ( Gallery Moab ) one day and said, 'Nana, you really are living the dream!' " She had taught them to pursue their ideas with passion. Rewards will come and dreams will be fulfilled if you do.

What is your next, great idea you can pursue with passion It all begins with ?? ...