Artists Journey February 9, 2021
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An Artists' Journey

February 9, 2021

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Art is an expression of the soul.

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These are stories about My Artist's Journey ......

These are some of the things that shaped me into the person and artist I am today.

Please relax, take five minutes, and enjoy my story.

Some of life's stories are positive and some not so much.
Everything that happens to us shapes our lives in some way.

Many of my patrons are relating to and enjoying my stories. I've enjoyed the comments that they are sharing. Always feel free to share your experiences with me.

Alpha Omega Chapter of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity.

My First Year Of College

It's surprising how many stories I have as I remember my first two semesters in college. A lot happened.

"A little more about my first semester..."

Continuing from my last post.

As I try to remember the things that happened in my first year in college, I realize that I need to separate them into overlapping stories. So as I write these stories you'll notice the timelines will overlap and merge. I hope I can make sense of the order of events.

I met Trish on a blind date.

One of the highlights of my first semester in college was when I met a very nice young lady on a blind date on a trip to Springfield, Missouri. She was a sophomore art major at Southwest Missouri State University. Her name was Trish. I realize now how fortunate that meeting was to me. Our blind date went well. We became pen pals. We developed a tender and special bond. Throughout the final few weeks of the fall semester, Trish and I wrote letters back and forth. I got to know her and she got to know me. We wrote mostly about our hopes, our fears, our dreams of the future, and what we wanted to do with our lives. We told each other about our families and our home life. We were honest with each other. We had a lot in common. We became friends. I found myself attracted to her and hoped she felt the same.

As a young college student, everything was about the future. Everything and anything was possible.

I remember that Trish and I took a break from writing to each other over Christmas break. Christmas was a time to rest and refocus on the family. (I'll add a story about my time at home later.)

Trish and I continued to write to each other upon returning to school for the spring semester.

In one of my first letters to her after the break, I informed her that I was thinking about transferring from engineering to an art school. We debated it for a while. I actually compiled a list of pros and cons. I guess it boiled down to deciding on living a creative life without financial security or a financially secure life without creativity. I decided to follow my heart. I wanted to try to see if being an artist was my destiny. I decided to apply to art schools. If fate smiled on me, things would fall into place.

With her help, we compiled a list of good art schools to apply to. That started the process. That's another story.

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Valentine's Day

I asked Trish if she would like to come to Rolla and be my date for Valentine Day Party Weekend. A few days later I received a letter from her. She said yes she would like to be my date. She and three of her girlfriends would carpool and share a motel room. This kind of arrangement was common.

Girls from other colleges routinely did this.

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Party Weekends

There were rules and traditions for Sigma Tau Gamma pledges at party weekends. We were expected to be gentlemen.

* Pledges were required to introduce themselves to every fraternity member's date.

* All pledges were expected to ask everyone's date for a dance.

* Pledges needed to remember every girl's name, where they were from, their majors, and other pertinent information. We were expected to make every date feel welcomed and special.

* If the pledge did not have a date, they would act as hosts to everyone.

The result was that everybody felt welcomed. Shy girls and shy pledges felt less shy and special. Everyone danced and made small talk.

* There were repercussions if these rules were not followed.

Valentines Day Party Weekend

Trish called me when she arrived in Rolla and got settled in. Before too long she made her way to the fraternity house. I'm sure she was overwhelmed.

I introduced her to my 57 fraternity brothers and all of their dates.

The chapter hosted a dinner for everyone and had a 'Get Acquainted Party' that evening. The party lasted into the night. Afterward, Trish returned to her motel room.

The next day she returned to the fraternity house for a whole day of activities. It was a busy day. We got to know each other better.

Valentine's Day Sweetheart Ball

Our 'Valentine's Day Sweetheart Ball' was special. Several upperclassmen gave their fraternity pin to their girlfriends. The fraternity had a special 'Pinning Ceremony'. It was very formal, impressive and beautiful. The whole fraternity sang the traditional 'White Rose' song to the couples. It was memorable.

Trish and I had a great time. It was fun being with her and dancing with her. She said that she really felt special and had never danced with 58 different gentlemen in one night in her whole life. The time flew by too quickly. Late that night we said goodnight. She gave me a tender hug and a kiss. She returned to their motel room.

The next morning she and her friends returned to Springfield.

Sunday, after everyone left, my pledge class cleaned the fraternity house. As I worked, I had a lot of sweet memories and much to think about. (I also had a bit of a headache. I guess I might have had a little hangover. I drank a few beers that weekend. Drinking was not and still is not a normal thing for me.)

I received a nice letter from her on Wednesday. She told me she had a great time. I had written her a letter telling her the same thing. Our letters crossed in the mail.

I responded by asking her if she would return as my date for Saint Patrick's Day Party Weekend.

She said, Yes'.

That's another story.

As I mentioned my first year in college was

the best of times and the worst of times.

Below is a shortlist of stories from that year I might tell over the next few weeks:

1. My freshman year, my military draft lottery number was "7". That stressed me a bit.

2. My father moved out of our house and left my family. I had a real conflict about staying in school or going home to help support my mother and siblings.

3. Getting hijacked by the local police in Salem, Missouri.

4. First time home for the weekend.

5. Greek Week activities.

6. Pledge week escape trip to Southwest Missouri State College.

7. The fates introduced me to a wonderful young lady, our tender relationship grew, and sadly how it ended.

8. From academic probation to Deans' Honor Roll.

9. Applying to art schools.

10. Transferring to the Kansas City Art Institute.

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I'm enjoying sharing ... my artwork, my teaching, and stories with all of you via my newsletters. I'm also posting more on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram!

I hope that during this pandemic we all are learning things about ourselves in order to reshape our lives. This is the time to make sure that we redesign our lives to appreciate each moment we have. I've been inspired by so many people who have put the well-being of others ahead of themselves. I realize that life is all too short and fragile.

Perhaps we all should be grateful for this time. We should use what's left of it wisely. I encourage you to make your list of what you need to get done (there will never be a better time), projects that you've been meaning to finish, ways to enrich your lives, and new things you want to do to learn and help you grow.

I'm creating paintings I've always wanted to do. I'm listening more and talking less.

Classes & Workshops make memorable and lasting gifts!

Shanika Studio
www.ShanikaFineArts.com
1316 Spruce Ridge Lane
Woodland Park, Colorado

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