Twylla Caudill has been an artist for as long as she can remember.
Caudill, who has been a member of the Stonewall Art Group for more than a decade, traces her artistic roots to her earliest memories.
“I’ve always had my finger in the pie, so to speak, always trying to create,” she said, reflecting on her childhood growing up on a farm, where she used nature to inspire pencil drawings.
To this day, Caudill loves nature and everything that comes with it — the colours, textures and activity. Art allows her to relax and let her imagination run wild, she said.
When her kids were born, her craft took a hiatus, but even then, she said she was still sewing, crocheting, and doing pictures with yarn — creating things for them instead of painting as a hobby.
She also joined art classes hosted by different schools while she and her family lived in the city.
When her kids started to grow, she began to dabble back into her creative endeavours where she was most passionate.
Around 2013, she joined the Stonewall Art Group.
“(The group gives) me the incentive to keep going and to keep creating,” Caudill said.
She says the group is excellent for the trial-and-error process. When she is trying something new, whether it be a medium or technique, she knows she can go to someone in the group, and they can give her advice.
“They are good for that,” she said.
Shortly after joining the group, she won first prize in the Interlake Juried Art Show in 2013 for her watercolour painting titled “The Girl on the Beach.”
Winning the show inspired her to dive deeper into creating, she said.
Over the years, she has experimented with a variety of mediums, including watercolour,
oils, airbrushing, acrylics, soap carving and charcoal (a personal favourite).
Caudill mainly focuses on creating people, landscapes, and animals in her artwork, which is her go-to idea when creating.
“They intrigue me,” she said.
Even though Caudill has been practicing art for decades, there are still struggles, but her passion and love for the work always draw her closer.
“I get joy out of doing it. You feel good when you’ve finished it, and you’ve accomplished whatever it is you are trying to do. There are frustrations, too. Sometimes your colours don’t go how you want them to,” she said.
Caudill has works displayed at the Heritage Art Centre in the Animal and Something 50s display — the group’s co-themes for the spring semester. She also has pieces in the Heritage Artwall, a long-term installation that will remain for several years.
If you want to check out Caudill’s work, she sells her art at craft sales. Watch for her at the local craft sales in November and early December.
In addition to showing her work on display, Caudill accepts orders for commissioned pieces. To request one of her pieces to display in your home, contact Caudill at twylightblue319@gmail.com
SAG will take its usual break over the summer months, recommencing in the fall. Feel free to drop by and join them when they reconvene. They always welcome new members of any skill level. For further information, please get in touch with stonewallartgroup@gmail.com
Tribune photos submitted
