Once upon a time in a tiny town called Hermann, there lived a very happy family…Just kidding, well not really and we are a very happy family, but a fairytale we are not.
Our story is just like all good narratives, it is a happy one with all the ups, downs, good, and dark moments that happen in life. My husband and I purchased the building in January 2019 with plans to renovate and create an art gallery, studio, storefront, and four guest rooms. This plan came about after I was able to ditch the accounting job, stay home for a bit, and then return to college for art. The Blank Canvas Gallery & Studio is truly a dream come true; an old dream made new.
Returning to the world of art is an amazing journey that has led me to chase my dreams and pursue a passion buried long ago. I have loved art since my freshman year of high school, but after graduation I had fallen in love, got married, had babies, and accounting was a more practical career path to raise a family. In 2016 I was blessed with the opportunity to quit my job, stay home, and figure out a new path. Often as a mother, we can lose ourselves in our role of mom and wife, a wonderful thing to do, but as the children grow up and need less of you, you can feel a void, a loss. My wonderful children sparked the flame with gifts I received Christmas morning 2016. They gifted me with canvases, paints, brushes, sketchbook, and pencils! I had not had art supplies in years, I am not certain if my children realize the true value of their gifts that year.
As the norm goes, the art supplies were stashed in a nice pile in my bedroom and our daily life continued. I played a little here and there, my husband says he saw the joy I had painting and loved to watch me. He was watching some YouTube videos one evening and wanted to show me one, if you have not watched Steve Harvey give some of his little talks you need to. He is a true vessel for God. He was speaking about jumping, taking that leap of faith to chase the gift God gave you and knowing that when the time was right, God would open your parachute (look it up sometime, seriously changed my life). With amazing support from my husband and children, in the spring of 2017 I enrolled in East Central College to pursue a Fine Arts Degree. A few years later here we are opening the gallery and studio, and the rest of the story is currently in the making.
The Blank Canvas is a fine arts gallery with a fully functioning art studio. Most of our artists are emerging, with a few established artists. We host creative activities throughout the month, watch for our calendar of events on our website or visithermann.com. We also love pop in creators, we are always ready to head to the studio with you for some creative fun. Should our business hours not suit your schedule, give us a call to see when we can set up an afterhours session.
As well as the gallery and studio, we have four artistically decorated guest rooms on the second floor adjacent to our studio. If you are looking for a great get away, come stay at The Artists Suites.
It is not easy to put yourself out there. I am by no means a great, good, or otherwise artist, there is always room to learn and improve. I am me. I enjoy my time with a brush and a canvas, what that creates is simple joy for me. I also find much enjoyment sharing my beautiful studio with otheres as they tap into their creative side!
