Sparks of Inspiration

When I think of a truly creative person, I immediately think of my mom. Inspired by both family and herself, she decided to take a welding class at our local community college—just for fun! She’s 62 and deals with arthritis pain every single day. Most people in her shoes would shy away, complain, or regret the idea altogether. But not her. She simply told herself she wanted to learn, and she did. One evening, while listening to music, our longtime friend Patricia Verrall described my mom’s approach to welding and her hilarious artwork as “balls to the walls, very out there.” Then looked at me and said I was “quiet and reserved.” Honestly, both descriptions couldn’t be more accurate. Patricia has known my mom for years—long before mom ever thought about taking seven-year-old me out to live music shows. To put it into perspective, here are some of her creations. She made me a small bird sculpture I call “Butt Bird.” It’s a freestanding, stylized bird with simple, sturdy legs and oversized flat feet—complete with a bubble butt. It’s playful, almost cartoonish, and I proudly display it on my bookshelf. Then there’s her Abstract Swirl Plaque—a square piece covered in dense swirls, waves, and dotted textures. It’s one of the family favorites. Another standout is her Fish Sculpture, which she mounted on a rock base and named Old Man Angler Fish. With its fierce, wide-mouthed expression, bulging eyes, detailed fins, and a teal ball dangling from a wire, it’s equal parts lively and fantastical. She even crafted a replica of her own spine, reflecting her arthritis and surgeries. Mounted on a wooden base, the “bones” fan outward like branches or leaves—turning her pain into art. In our garage, a red Devil Sign grins down from the pegboard, horns and tail in full display. And on the fireplace sits her heavy metal razor. Anytime guests visit, Mom insists they try to lift it—usually to their surprise at just how heavy it really is. Each of these pieces tells a story—not just of her creativity, but of her resilience. My mom takes her challenges and transforms them into something bold, funny, and inspiring. She’s proof that passion doesn’t fade with age, and that creativity can spark even in the face of pain. For me, she’ll always be the definition of a creative spirit.