Enabling the Addiction - New Book Intro

My goal in writing this book is to encourage and motivate others in spreading the love of barn quilts. I am not into it to make money or for being the go-to person that is an expert. Design, painting, and mentoring others is my way of expressing my creativity, occupying my time, and keeping sane. Yes, keeping sane.

I suffer from server depression and anxiety; I am bipolar Type 1 with a case if ADHD that I would wish on no one. There I said it publicly. It is extremely hard to admit this because it comes with such shame of others knowing and it heightens my anxiety. So, for self-therapy, I have always indulged myself into my artwork. It is my survival getting through most days because I am not married, don’t have a significant other, and family is best kept at a distance for healthy relationships to thrive.

Barn Quilts have opened a source of steady interactions with others that I need. It just excites me to know that I am doing something that helps others who could very well suffer from some of the same things that I do. We all know how therapeutic that paint brush in our hand can be.

I enjoy the design process because it allows be to quickly move through my thoughts that bounce around in my head. It is like that loose marble on the deck of a boat out to sea, it never quits rolling around. And lord help someone that steps on that marble, all hell can break loose, and someone may end up hurt. My artwork allows me to funnel my thoughts, and therefore most artists are, well should I say, crazy? So, I have heard…lol. I wear it well, have papers to prove it and strive to hide it. I am sure those close to me can say I fail miserably at that part, hiding it that is.

There I go, rambling on, lost in my own head but back to Barn Quilts. Should this be capitalized each time, or lower case? I am sure it will not be the only spelling or grammar error along the way. I am an artist, not a writer. Back to it now - when I am creating these digital images for my book, or surfing social media for others I can help, it steadies my mind for a few moments and allows me to focus on something, if only for a moment.

My mind races with creativity and I could spit out many ideas I have to expand our Barn Quilt world. I must keep all those in check sometimes too. I wish I could finance all the visions I have in helping everyone expand their own hobby or small business.

But in a nutshell, I do this for others. I am selfish in that it gives me peace and calmness in my chaotic head. I am always here to help, share my experience and knowledge but most of all, encourage others to pursue what works for them. A little guidance along the way and learning from others as I go to.

So, as I lay here in my EXTREMELY comfortable outdoor swinging bed, waiting on sealer to dry, these thoughts speed through my head as fast as the race cars I used to paint. I quickly took a break from designs and let my fingers jot down these thoughts because once these are gone – gone for good these are.

Enjoy this book, the designs, and anything that rattled around in my head while working on it. You have all blessed me with great success on the Barn Quilt Addiction books and all the praise and compliments are so appreciated. I have made friendships and we all have a common love, admiring each other’s beautiful Barn Quilts.