Growing up, the majority of my summers and holiday breaks were spent under the care of a lady that demanded respect by how she carried herself from everyone she met. She was the epitome of what a lady is and should be. From the care that she took in her appearance, the way that she treated others, and the way she made sure to be educated on all matters. This lady was my grandmother, Dr. Elizabeth Reneau who made it a point to teach each of her grand kids proper etiquette, and to expose them to culture in every way that she can. She came from an area that is now flooded under Lake Sam Rayburn. She told me how as a child back in the 40s that the government had bought out her family's land, as well as many others', and that they took a three day ride by horse and buggy all the way from up around Broaddus, TX area to the little town of Buna, TX where she would live until meeting my grandfather, William "Bill" Reneau", marrying him and then getting on a greyhound bus alone to meet him where he was stationed in the Navy.
They would travel all over the United States, and while he was off away, fighting for our country she would raise their kids. Sometimes, even helping to make parts for airplanes as one of the "Rosie Riveters". After Papaw Reneau retired from the Navy, she owned a gallery in Pineland, TX where she would paint and he would build the frames for her paintings. Later she went on to college and obtained her Doctorate in Education and would retire from being a Principal at Brookeland ISD. She truly was one of the greats.
I personally believe that everyone should take the time to educate themselves culturally. I am not saying you have to believe the way that another culture does. What I am saying is have an appreciation. The art, the music, the food. Limiting yourself and shutting off everything that is now what is “normal” is not to you is denying yourself experiences that you may never get the chance again to be able to enjoy. I love art, I love theater, I love watching live performances(whether dance or music). I believe whole-heartedly that this appreciation I have was instilled in me by my wonderful and beautiful grandmother.
It was my summers and breaks in Lufkin, Tx, that she instilled my love for God and the arts. I remember as a kid, Grandma would call up my Momma and tell her that a play was going on at Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches and she wanted us to come see it. We would load up and go to spend the weekend with grandma and getting to see the play. Another time she had us come, and we went out some where far off in the woods and got to see a live perfomance where a group of performers played all sorts of classic country music. I remember watching a boy my age on the stage get up there and sing "Tiger By the Tail". "I got a tiger by the tail, it is plain to see". Then he followed up with "White Lightening", which was comical, and he done a great performance of it. I told Grandma, that I was going to marry that boy one day haha! But at the end of the show, I heard for the first time, one of my all time favorite gospel songs of time, "I Saw the Light".
Grandma also taught me the importance of being humble and being educated in all matters, art, business, and culture. She really pushed for me to paint and be an artist once she learned that I could paint as well. I remember that I was sitting on her couch drawing with my pencils. She asked if I painted, to which I said no
ma'am. I just like my pencils. She said well you should paint. I told her that it was hard, and I could not get the detail like I can with a pencil. Her response was, get a smaller brush. Haha! She then dug through her old art supplies that she had not used in a long time and pulled out a how to pamphlet. She showed me which colors to use, and how to use oil paint, and then told me to get to it, and sat there and made me paint the entire painting before we could do anything else. Once it was finished, we went to Hobby Lobby and she picked out a frame for it and sent me home. After that, every time I would go to her house, I was not allowed to leave without finishing and entire painting.
She was dead set that I was made for greatness and that greatness would come from my art. I still remember telling "Mimaw", as I called her more often, that I was going to college for Nursing. She told me, “Baby that ain’t for you. Some people are made for Nursing and some ain’t and that is just not what God has for you. You are meant for your art and your business.” When I quit my art to focus on the Nursing Program she got so mad. When Harvey hit and I lost my spot she told me, “I told you, it just wasn’t meant for you. You are going to be a business woman one day, focus on your gallery and coffee shop.” I am going to be honest, I didn’t take her seriously on any of it. I thought she was just a Mimaw with high expectations. Man, was I wrong. Mimaw knew the whole time. After I lost my position in nursing school, I created a 501.c3 non-profit called Artists of Southeast Texas which is focused on community revitalization of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana through community involvement, charity work, and art education. I published two children's books that are a part of my series, The Adventures of the Cow Bayou Boys. I also went on to have my first solo show at the Music Studio, which I shared with my Dad, Bud Green, who also learned under neath Mimaw's teachings. As you can see in the picture here, she was so proud! I have showcased my artwork in several shows and competitions and have big projects in the work as we speak. I will also be showcasing my 2nd solo show at the Texas Wine Shop and Bistro in Jasper, TX November 11th, 2023.
Summer trips to Mimaw's did not just help me with my art. It was on those trips that I would find the Holy Spirit at the First UPC of Lufkin with my Aunt Patty Matthews, and form my foundation in my beliefs that influence my personal art and my character.. It is that faith and that relationship that I gained with God while at that church, that I give 100% of my blessings and achievements the praise for. The experiences and the learning that I received with my Mimaw and Aunt Patty really shaped me as an individual and helped make me into the woman I am today. There is so much that I would love to share about my grandmother and her artwork, but I plan to make another blog that shows just her artwork.
Reach out and let me know if there is anything you would like me to cover or go over in a blog and I will do my best to make it happen!
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