If you’ve followed my blog or read my column for any amount of time, you know the story of how we bought our little white farmhouse in Stanfield. For those of you who don’t know the story, I’ll give you the short version.
It was 2006, and after looking for the perfect place for a year, we finally found 12 acres with a little white farmhouse. The house was built in 1915, and the instant I saw it, I knew it was the one.

While my husband and realtor were indoors looking around, I stole quietly outside to check out the land and outbuildings.

The woods were full of persimmon and hickory trees, and there was even a lilac bush (something I’d always wanted). I made my way to the unattached garage, and when I opened the door, I saw one of the most beautiful paintings in progress that I have ever seen!

There were numerous painted canvases in that small space and to me; they were all works of art. My Granddaddy was an artist, and as a child, I thought someday, I would like to be an artist too. Seeing all of that beauty coming from the hands of the owner cemented the deal for me. That place was meant to be ours.
To me, houses aren’t just brick and wood. They have a soul and hang on to small amounts of the essence of their former occupants. I couldn’t wait to own a home owned by an artist! I hoped his talent would rub off on me.
Fast forward ten years.
I decided it was time for me to pursue that dream of becoming an artist – or at least take some lessons. Last week, I went to my first art class at Mint Hill Arts and, guess who the instructor was?

The gentleman from whom we bought the house! Talk about coming full circle.
If you get a chance, stop by Mint Hill Arts and see the fantastic work of Larry Ferguson. Better yet, take one of his classes!
I am excited about learning from him and about swapping stories of the old place that we both called home.
That’s the news from the homestead, see you next week!