From Superior Court – to Gallery Artist – to Novelist

 

            Defense counsel leapt to his feet.  “Your Honor, the Plaintiff is grossly exaggerating the value of my client’s company.  How can he –”

            “That’s inaccurate,” objected the opposing attorney.  “In the interrogatories the Defendant himself laid out all the financials –”

            “Be seated – both of you!”

            Tapping out the staccato dialogue on my Stenograph court reporting machine, I glanced up at my judge.  Her fiery opal eyes were magnified behind large lenses.  “This is your summation now, and I’ll consider the admitted documents later.”  Counsel resumed their seats, and I continued reporting the proceedings of this civil trial.

            Gazing down at my hands, with fingers dancing over the keyboard, I considered my career as Judge Judith McConnell’s official court reporter in San Diego Superior Court.

           

            Defense counsel was shouting again, and though I continued capturing his argument, I mused to myself – time perhaps for a professional career change?  — creative work with meaning and purpose?  Well, there’s a thought.  I loved art and studying beautiful and famous oil paintings during visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but I could never be as accomplished as the fine artists I admired.  But on the other hand, maybe I could try – with training and effort?

           

            And with that realization, while continuing to work in court for the next seven years, I began attending workshops at the Scottsdale Artists’ School and was able to study landscape, wildlife and equestrian art with the best artists out there – professionals with a generous teaching ethic who were willing to pass all their knowledge on to aspiring students.  They shared expertise and skills that would have taken me years to acquire on my own.

           

            Fast forward to my retirement in August of 2000 from San Diego County, and my husband and I opened Two Babes in the Woods Fine Art in Idyllwild, California, in the mountains above Palm Springs.  We featured my work along with that of five other local oil painters.  Two Babes hosted art shows, workshops and jazz concerts in the gallery, thriving and then surviving the economic downturn.  I was so fortunate as a new artist to have my own gallery, competing and having success in nationwide art shows. 

           

            But Two Babes decided it was now time for a change of scenery, and after selling the gallery, we made our move to the Great Northwest, settling in Bend, Oregon, where I exhibited my art in area galleries and competitions.  

           

            Somewhere in my head was the thought that, like many, there was a book in me, and after joining writers’ groups, I started work on my fictional novel, a legal thriller which on its own evolved into a romance.  Writing The Court Reporter’s Tightrope was a thrilling ride bringing back memories of years in court.

            And if you’re a writer, reader or artist, too, I hope you’re experiencing the same thrilling

ride.  Let me know your thoughts and comments.

            And I wish you well in your creative adventures.