NEARBY INSPIRATION
My inspiration most often is a painting that hangs on my wall. It is a picture of Jesus with a flock of contented sheep at his feet and carrying a sheep over his shoulder. I look at that one sheep as myself.
Beside Jesus is a tree, which reminds me of a solid life, tall and ongoing. On the other side is a rock, showing Jesus as our solid foundation.
Art in any form is an inspiration. Go out and enjoy.
Joan Jones
Formerly Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative
FINDING EMPATHY
Art has inspired me to have greater empathy for those around me and to be more observant. I had a back injury and could no longer do long-distance running and needed an outlet. I happened to stumble into painting, thanks to watching PBS.
To get more feedback, I ended up pursuing a master’s degree in fine art painting. I was not good at painting when I started, but was encouraged by a friend, who kept telling me, “C’s get degrees.”
When I presented my midpoint thesis showing my art, there is a definite line where the artwork starts getting better.
When I finished my presentation, one of the teachers, Jessie Mangerson, a fantastic teacher and artist, said, “That’s where you learned to paint, and that’s where you learned to see what is really there.”
This has bled over into the rest of my life. I’m much more caring, empathetic and wanting to learn about other people’s points of view and where they come from.
The arts can make all of us the best version of ourselves. Today, I use what I learned to paint our beautiful areas here in North Dakota to share with as many as I can.
Daphne Johnson Clark
Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative
UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTIONS
July: What is your favorite part of North Dakota’s history and why?
Deadline for submission: June 12
August: Is there a North Dakota athlete who inspires you?
Deadline for submission: July 11
Published replies pay $25. Email to ndliving@ndarec.com or mail to READER REPLY, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727.
