I am Cindy Gilmer and I am an aspiring artist. This blog is about my journey to find a new passion. I have spent my entire career as a high-tech executive and entrepreneur. During that time I have always sought out creative outlets to ensure my “right brain” was being used.
For many years I was an amateur dancer focusing on classical ballet. Eventually my knees decided they had done their last plié.
In the late 1990’s I started to paint having not done anything related to art since high school. I started out painting in acrylics. I primarily painted flowers, windows and doors, and other aesthetically pleasing but not too difficult subjects. In the early 2000s I took some classes from Jennifer Schoechle who was a wonderful portrait artist. During that time I transitioned from acrylics to oils. I have since added watercolors to my repertoire.
During the 2000’s I also started my own consulting company, Opus Plus, Incorporated, which focused on new product and service development and innovation for high-tech companies. Running a company takes a lot of time and effort, and also serves as a creative outlet, so during the ten years from 2001 through 2011, I focused mainly on that, only doing art occasionally.
In 2010 – 2011 time-frame, I was facing some professional and personal challenges. One major outcome from this is that my husband and I decided to make our main home in the Blue Ridge Mountains buying a home in Wintergreen Virginia. Still needing to make a living in the Washington DC area, we downsized our residence there to a condo and we spend as much time in the mountains as we can. This new setting has proven very inspirational. I also shut down my company and returned to life in a large company, leaving me with an identity crisis. I came to the realization that I needed a new passion and returning to painting has been the answer.
In 2018, I transitioned to “mostly-retired” and my husband and I moved to our home in the Blue Ridge Mountains full time. I am trying to paint more and work less.
The purpose of this blog is to share my experiences learning, discovering and making this transition from engineer to artist. I hope you enjoy my musings and maybe find some of your own passion within them.
When you have a show, or participate in a show, send me an email. I love looking. Great good luck at this new venture. /m
Marilyn – I have been in two shows already and I have submitted some entries for the upcoming Green show at Falls Church Arts. I will let you know if any of them get accepted.
I love the idea and your transition.Who knew that you had this hidden talent. Our Nancy is also a late blooming artist among many other talents. She spins her own wool and is into natural dying. Of yarn that is. We will all have to get together. Did I mention that the races at Oatlands are the second Sunday in April. If you and Bill are in town then please plan to join us. Love, Carol
As I recall, Nancy always had a talent for crafts. I’m glad she is still exploring that.
Cindy – your work is wonderful and I love how you’re looking at everything! Inspirational to see your transition….all the best, Mary
Thanks Mary!
All those years standing next to you at the ballet bar listening to our knees crackle and waiting to reward ourselves with milkshakes…I never realized you had all this talent in another art form…. !
I’m so glad I signed up to be able to read your blog and view your wonderful works of art! I find your musings about your passion for art and your journey through the different art mediums so inspiring. I’ll be checking in frequently Cindy.
Glad you enjoy my site Kathleen!
Hello Cindy,
I was searching for photos of Nimrod Hall and found your site. By any chance do you have any photographs of the Powerhouse that was built next to/on the pond damn, specifically from the side facing the stairs into the Powerhouse?
I have a photo of my father at 20 months old at Nimrod Hall sitting on what look to be the stairs of the Powerhouse and I am trying to confirm if that is the place. It is hard to tell as just the wooden stairs are framed in the photo and nothing of the house.
Thank you
Hi Alston! I’ve been there several times. I will have to dig through all of my photos to see what I have. It may take me a few days to find the time. Stay tuned.