My name is Viola L. Veale, and I have been painting with acrylics since 1982.When my husband became terminally ill, I found myself overwhelmed with being his caregiver, wife, and a mother and full time employee outside of the home. Looking for a stress reliever, I answered an advertisement for art classes at Martin Community College (Bertie Campus). I loved the class and learned about mediums and art supplies. I chose acrylics because of the quick drying time that fit my limited free time.
I have no formal training in art. Thanks to the kindness of another artist, I have received much-needed help as well as constructive criticism. I call her my mentor. We met at my very first art exhibit at Martin Community College (Bertie Campus), which was sponsored by the Bertie County Arts Council.
A few years after the passing of my beloved husband Robert, I was blessed to meet and marry a wonderful man, James Veale. Faced with the fact that I was diagnosed with a degenerative bone disease that limited my mobility and activities, James encouraged and supported me with my art exhibits. Life dealt me another devastating blow with the illness and death of my James.
Having heard three consecutive sermons dealing with “Stir up the gift that God has given you”, I finally got the message and slowly climbed out of my depressive state and returned to my art. I have decided that my best work is, as I have been told, “painting old stuff.” I would like to think that I am recording history on canvas, capturing a fast-fading era. Future generations will be able to see how things were – my generation, hopefully, can take a walk back in time.
History, Southern Style 