Len Shane: Featured Artist from Vancouver, BC.

Len Shane: evolving with art.

Mom tried teaching me piano when I was 12 and when that didn’t pan out, she sent me to take lessons from an artist friend. Sure enough, that connected for me.

Many years later, I find myself as a retired teacher looking back at how that first experience brought art in its many forms into my life.

I suspect that for many of us whatever our passions lead us to, we would never have imagined ourselves engaged in such ventures.

As a teacher and parent, I didn’t find much time to paint until shortly before retiring. For the last 20 years, I’ve been deeply involved in painting.

However, upon reflection, I realise that art never left me.

Encouraging creativity as a teacher.

While I taught elementary school, I always encouraged many artistic and creative writing projects with my pupils.

Creativity was important in the school newspaper I published. I strongly believed in displaying their work in my classroom. Moreover, I honoured their work on whatever hallway boards weren’t being used.

When I retired, a pal said, “Len you should make cards of your art.”

That suggestion was another important moment for me; it propelled me into letting my creative juices express themselves.

Len Shane continues his journey of discovery.

Today I love what I have discovered about myself through painting; in fact, I believe it has allowed me to open up other sides of my personality.  I like to be outgoing and put a lot of energy and emotion in what I do, something that has really come through on my canvases especially during Covid; this is a time when we are being told to shut down, but remarkably I find myself opening up.

Years ago, I joined Toastmasters and discovered a few traits about myself: while I am a teacher, by nature I am generally a quiet person. However, in front of an audience, a more outgoing, alive, dynamic side of me kicks in, much as I now find when I pick up the paint brush!

I love exploring different styles and subjects which is truly in keeping with the freedom retirement allows me!

To view other artists who have been featured on my website in the last 2.5 years, please visit the Guest Artist page.

I am grateful for all the talented, productive artists and creatives from all over the world (photographer, author...) who have appeared on Louise's ARTiculations. If you are a creative and would like to be featured in this space, please contact me. This feature will continue in 2021. I have December 2020 open now to highlight your work on my website.

Many featured guests remain in my circle of friends on social media sites, and some, I have even met in person.