My name is Blythe Allison Bostock and this is my story.

When I was a year old my parents and I left Seattle for a new home in
Dallas, Texas.  We moved to a small home and lived next door to two successful artists. 

Jane was a commissioned portrait painter and Dick was a commercial artist who painted large oil paintings in his spare time.  By the time I was five years of age, I realized they were special.  Their home was sublimely decorated and filled with beautiful art, furniture, and oriental rugs. Many summers were spent back in Seattle at my Grandmother's home and she was also an oil painter who showed her work at summer art shows. She introduced me to oil painting by giving me a canvas, brushes and paint and guided me through the process.  When my Grandmother left this world, my Mother gave me her brushes, palette, and the rest of her supplies.  Perhaps it was meant to be that I would someday paint too.

Back in Dallas, my Dad started painting with oils.  He was into abstracts and didn't want to take art lessons because he felt it would take away his enjoyment at creating.  He is still painting and has had many shows in San Francisco galleries and in Sonoma county.  My brother, Billy, received an art scholarship from Mercer Island High School to attend the Cornish School of Arts.  My youngest brother, Bo, is now an Architect in Seattle and also has a Fine Arts degree from the University of Oregon, also on a scholarship.  So.......I guess I inherited my desire to be creative through my genes and environment. 

I spent 15 years working at the Seattle Public Market as an agent for many artisans.  I was surrounded by extremely creative people.  That experience taught me that within everyone there is an ability to create whether it be writing or making music, building furniture, crafting leather, jewelry design, growing fruits, flowers, and vegetables and even throwing fish. It was an inspirational experience and life-changing.

I started painting three years ago.  I've always been creative at decorating homes; my own and my friends.  I never imagined I'd branch out and begin painting on large canvases with oil paints.

I now have a studio in my basement.  I never know what I'm going to paint.  But, I start.  And it evolves.  I find that any stress or tiredness I might feel at the time vanishes.  Sometimes, hours go by and I'm still painting.  My inspiration comes from music, nature, my own garden, trips to Mexico, my feelings at the time, and my love for my family, animals and friends.  For me, painting has been a rejuvenation for my soul.  It lifts my spirit.  I'm doing what I love and I'm loving what I'm doing.  Like my father, I have never had an art lesson except in highschool.  My inspiration comes from within.  I don't want that to change.

I've been a wait person at Mama's Mexican Kitchen for nearly 30 years, and during that time they have become my extended family and best friends.  I love that too.