Red Room Where the Writers Are

The arts always have it difficult during downturns in the economy,  There was a feature on The News Hour last night about Dayton, Ohio and the arts and the struggle to survive.  I lived in the Dayton area for many years and thus, found it be an interesting piece.  Although Dayton doesn't have the "big city" respect of Cincinnati or Cleveland, it does have a fairly active arts community.  The Victoria Theatre, the Dayton Philoharmonic Orchestra, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, the Schuster Center are just a few of the perks of Dayton's art community.

Into this mix came a self-taught watercolor artist, Edna Cornelius.  She started painting in her fifties continuing into her nineties.  More than her art, she was a great lady who knew how to live.  I met her when she was just turning ninety, and it is my sincere hope that I grow up to be just like her.  By that, I mean living life to the fullest and being aware of the many opportunities that life has to offer.  To be a friend like she was a friend...open, lively, and having younger friends.  Staying young in spirit and never complaining about health issues.  Saying "yes" to invitations and "no" to wastes of times.  

A few pieces of her artwork (her watercolors) are still available...the price: the price of framing it and attaching her bio to the back so that she will not be forgotten.   She will never be forgotten by those who knew her.  Her spirit lives on in her friends and adopted family. Google Edna Cornelius if you would like to look at some of her artwork. 

At this time of the year, we approach what would have been her birthday (she would have passed the century mark last year); I guess as I see flowers bloom and spring come calling, I think of her and wish, once again, that when I grow up, I'll be just like her.