Artist • Lenall Siebenaler
 My Mom was always my biggest fan, my mentor and my best friend. She was a very interesting, creative woman who inspired in me an eye for beauty, culture and elegance. Mom was an accomplished needle artist. She loved needlepoint, x-stitch, knitting, crewel, embroidery, beading, tatting, sewing and more. It was only natural that my sisters and I were taught and encouraged to dabble in the needle arts. I still remember summers sitting on our deck, in my bikini, embroidering and winters cross stitching in front of the TV. I loved being productive, so I was always working on some craft project. Life was never boring.
In 1981, I bought a watercolor set at a garage sale. I just knew I was going to be good. Alas, it took me 10 years before that dream came to fruition. In 1991, my Mom and I enrolled in a watercolor class at the local community college. It was love at first brushstroke!
Since that first class, I have been consumed with taking regular classes and workshops that have exposed me to new techniques, skills and mediums. Besides watercolor, I enjoy mixed media, collage, acrylics, pastels, encaustic, and monotype. I am totally attracted to and live with a plethora of color. I approach my art intuitively. Generally without a plan—I just do it. My creations are loose and abstract renderings that reflect my love of shape and color and texture. I tend to work very fast, oftentimes working on 3–4 pieces at a time. It’s not surprising that I’m prolific! I am so focused, that I totally lose myself in the process. I love creating—my art makes me feel happy, alive, and relaxed.
In the past few years, I’ve taken my art to new heights by getting involved in several local art organizations including The Watercolor Society of Oregon, The Beaverton Arts Commission, The Oregon Society of Artists, Keizer Art Association, Salem Art Association, The Portland Art Collective and The Village Gallery of Arts. I have met such wonderful, talented artists and have been inspired by all of them. I particularly want to thank all members, past and present of the PAC and my watercolor group for inspiring me each time we meet.
I have taken regular classes from various artists, particularly, three Portland watercolor artists, Linda Aman Pat San Soucie and Chris Keylock Williams. They have influenced my art and my skills immensely. In addition, I’ve attended “Art & Soul” Mixed Media Retreats since 2003 and “Artfest” in March 2006. Each retreat has opened new creative horizons for me via my exposure to new artists, techniques, products and networking with new artist friends. It’s been a very enriching experience.
Unfortunately, in 1996, we lost Mom to lung cancer, but her legacy of beauty, culture and elegance lives on in the artwork she left behind. Her artistic and eccentric spirit lives on in me too! She taught us that we could do anything we set our minds and hearts to. I always believed her and have lived my life by that mantra. I hope I will also be able to inspire others through my passions and though my artwork. I only wish Mom could be here today to enjoy my successes. I know she’d be proud of me. Thanks, Mom, for being my muse. You can also visit my website at www.lenall.com.
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