Today we’d like to introduce you to Varla Bishop
Varla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always enjoyed being creative. Like a lot of children, I loved art. I took art classes in high school and enjoyed every minute of it. My family wanted me to be an art teacher, but that was not my dream. As much as I loved art, I wanted to be something else. I wanted to be a police officer. Fortunately, my family never told me women at that time could not be officers. However, by the time I graduated high school the laws had changed.
I would eventually have a long career in law enforcement and would retire after 30-1/2 years with the rank of Regional Commander of the Wisconsin State Patrol. Now retired I could go back to the arts. I am self-taught and have read many books and watch many videos. I have taken workshops whenever I could, and I could see myself improving. I belong to several local art groups and have entered my art in several competitions where I have received awards.
I paint nearly every day for the past 14 years. It is relaxing, fun and challenging. One of the art groups I belong to always present trying different techniques or painting on different surfaces. I have painted not just on canvases and paper, but on clothing, shoes, furniture, rocks, glass, gourds and whatever else a client can envision. I do primarily portraits of people and pets. I tell myself it is because of all the years of looking at details when in law enforcement. Painting faces has a lot of details that must be precise. Maybe that is why I find painting abstract art too difficult as there are no details to follow. I guess just too many years of working within the lines of government.
I do commission work, and nothing touches my heart more then to see the reaction my art can have on another. I feel blessed and it is why I paint. To give joy to others and to myself. I believe a talent should be shared.
Being a good artist takes time. I did not go to college to learn the history of art or all of the techniques, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t continue to learn. I do know one thing. If you want to get better, there is one sure way to help make that happen. Practice. Practice. Practice. Too often if someone doesn’t see immediate improvement they give up and say they can’t It is unfortunate as they barely discovered how to use a brush.
I have so much art in my house. Not just mine, but other artists as well. We need to support each other, and I am so grateful for the community that I live in that is always looking for creative outlets.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It takes time to get good as an artist and since I am not looking for this new endeavor to be my soul source of income I really have not had any struggles. I do know that professional artists don’t often have the luxury of just working on their art.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I paint portraits of people. Children, adults and different nationalities. I paint many animals and many different pets. People love their pets, so I have done painting, but also shoes and signs.
What are your plans for the future?
Just to continue to paint. Enter more shows and cultivate the talent with the next generation. I have grandchildren who also are very creative not just in painting but sewing and writing music. My family is a very creative group, and I want to continue to nurture that passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vjbishop.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/varlajb/
