7 Trial Lawyer • Spring 2022 Too linear. He didn’t fit in. Against his father’s wishes he sought out art as a means to make a living. “Move your hand at the easel like you’re a real artist even though it’s just pretend. Just do it because it feels good.” It did. “Make a marking on your paper that scares you. Or that you think you shouldn’t make because that marking could never be part of a real drawing of a face. Do it anyway.” I did. It was silly. But it looked kind of like I just drew an eye. “Flip the photograph and your paper upside down and now draw.” Weird. “Now draw only how you feel tonight, doesn’t matter how it looks. Are you annoyed? Angry? Sad? Thrilled? But look only at the photograph as you draw.” I started to cry. I missed my mom. I left each class feeling like I had just had a deep, long cry or a great big uncontrollable belly laugh. I felt serene. And my drawings were somehow getting a little better. Just a little. So, I kept going back. For eleven weeks. And my life changed. Forever. I gained a new best friend – me at the easel. She was not the person who had to know the answer. She was new at something and was willing to show her mistakes. She was sometimes giddy and always unsure of herself and terrible at it and having fun. Protect time That was almost ten years ago. I still practice law with my husband. Though not full time anymore. Our beautiful children are both graduated from college and working or in graduate school. And I protect time every day to spend in my art studio (I have my own art studio!) to paint and draw and make the markings I feel that day. I waste time there. I make art and art makes me there. It is a more balanced life for me. Art and law and so much more. I am told my art is one of movement and color. That sounds about right as it suits my personality. I’ve always been drawn to sports and color is simply fun to work with. My current favorite medium is oil. My first love is charcoal. I often dabble in pen and ink and gouache (Google it, it’s cool stuff). I do a lot of portraits but also am inspired by the human form and on occasion landscapes or a dear friend’s dog. I have had two showings in local art galleries, and I only hope that trend grows. But my story does not end there, it only begins. Because art has also changed me as a lawyer. Art has shown me there are many ways to do things, so why not choose the way that brings the greatest joy? I have met many lawyers who demonstrate passion for what they do, and compassion for their clients and others around them. I have also met lawyers who exude frustration with their work and with their clients. I can choose every day which lawyer I am. I have learned I can only expect of myself that I will show up and focus on the issue, not on the outcome. That can come later. If I allow time to really look at the questions before me, I relieve myself of the stress of whether I will win, or See Circles and Lines 8 The author in her studio.
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