Lynn Wade
Lynn Wade, Freedom
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I was born August 6, 1949, in Gary, Indiana. I am the eighth
oldest, fifth youngest and third youngest girl of 12 children.
I quickly grew to 5’6” much taller than all the
other kids my age. I was also darker than most of my friends
and my family members. I was teased and ridiculed from everyone
including my family. At the age of nine, I begin to express
my sadness and feelings by drawing and painting. The artwork
I created at school got praise from my teachers and actually
made me feel good about myself. Art became an escape for me
from the pain I experienced; to this day art has provided me
comfort, joy, and is where I can find peace.
At age eighteen I fell in love with a wonderful young man,
he was my first true love. He grew up in a cruel foster home,
but treated me with kindness and tenderness. We were going
to get married, but his life was tragically cut short. After
many, many months of writing, waiting and worrying his family
shared with me the sad news that he died in Vietnam. Again,
I returned to my art.
At age nineteen I met a guy who appeared to love me. As a
result of this relationship I ended up being battered. I was
pushed down, beat up, and had a knife held to my throat. I
still remember those painful times and the lies I told to
hide the abuse each time he beat me so bad I ended up in the
hospital. In an effort to escape the abuse I created drawings,
paintings, wrote poems and stories. This was the best therapy
in the world for me. Through my art I found peace of mind
and eventually found the strength to get out of that relationship
after many, many years of being battered.
Life continues to present its challenges and I still rely
on art to help me overcome those difficult times. My grandson
was born with severe cerebral palsy. The doctors said he would
not live to age 5. I have cared for him since age 4, when
my daughter was no longer able to. My proudest moment was
when he graduated from high school. I surrounded him with
bright colorful art; I know art has given him the same joy
it has given me.
Finally at age fifty-five I feel that I am at a place to
take the advice of so many others and share my art with the
world. I hope my art provides others the same comfort, joy
and happiness that I’ve received while creating it.
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