Artistic Treasure

Treasure with Susan McCalmont at 1515 Lincoln Gallery

Over the past year, I've shared several stories about our incredible consigned artists. Each artist has followed a unique path of triumphs and tribulations that made them think deeply about their creative career. What makes them extraordinary artists is their courage to always listen to their inner voice.

This past year I was introduced to an 18-year-old painter named Treasure. My dear friend Connie, a local pastor, shared that the teen struggled with the same uncertainty and doubt many artists face. Connie sent pictures of her artwork and set up a meeting at her church, where I discovered her to be a delightful young woman with strong artistic talent. I learned that her mom, an accomplished singer, and songwriter, was concerned her daughter's passion might not lead to a well-paid career. However, when she showed me her work, I knew she was transferring more to the canvas than the paint. She was sharing raw emotions she needed to express.

Treasure grew up in a small town in Louisiana that you might miss if you blinked while driving through. She has three siblings and a loving relationship with her mom Mary. Treasure recalls always being interested in art and drawing whenever she could. A childhood highlight she shared was earning $20 after selling a few of her pictures to a neighbor. "That helped push me even more because it made me feel confident about what I was doing," says Treasure. She believes her creativity comes from her mom. However, she says, "My mom always thought artists didn't make money until after they die, and she wanted me to do something I liked but would also make money." It took sharing her work with others to change how Mary viewed her art.

Treasure and her family moved to Oklahoma City when she was 10. Connie met Mary after her family began attending her church. Mary joined the choir, and Connie watched Treasure become a talented athlete and artist. "She’s a gifted person who is a delight to be around," says Connie. Mary and her kids eventually moved to Texas before Treasure entered her first year in high school. Unfortunately, the pandemic made it difficult for her to pursue art in school. Classes closed halfway through her first year and were mainly virtual the second year. Thankfully, the usual school schedule returned her junior year, and Treasure could finally explore her abilities and share her art. That year she submitted a pastel self-portrait to an art competition and won first place and $75. However, despite the significant achievement, Treasure still doubted her artistry. The following year she entered a painting of an American flag into a contest between 24 different Texas counties. She won first place and had her impressive artwork hung in the office of Congressman Michael Burgess.

Mary shared photos and kept Connie abreast of Treasure's progress while living in Texas. When Connie saw the artwork and heard of her achievements, she told Mary that she should connect with someone who understood the art world. Shortly after their conversation, Connie contacted me and shared Treasure's story and photos of her work. I immediately saw her potential and felt she needed support to pursue her dream.

As fate would have it, Mary moved her family back to Oklahoma City, and Connie set a date for us to all meet at her church. When I arrived, I could see Treasure was nervous about sharing her work. However, when she did share, I was struck by the power of her expressiveness and artistic abilities. The canvas was vital to Treasure expressing herself, but I didn’t see that her mother understood how important art was to her life. For Treasure, "The meeting felt amazing because it helped open my mom's eyes, and it made me realize someone else could see what I was trying to communicate."

Treasure with Dragana Milovic

I think almost every artist faces the same fear of following their inner creative voice. Unfortunately, the pursuit can be arduous unless the artist is born into a supportive family and independent wealth that affords the freedom to create without worrying about money. Treasure is an example for other young people who strongly desire to make art but don't feel they have permission to do so. One of my intentions for the 1515 Lincoln Gallery is to further the awareness of the value of art creation so others will give themselves space to create even though they may not have the support to do so. Teachers and mentors are vital to helping young artists develop and follow their creative spirit. I am happy that many of our consigned artists: Paul Medina, Nathan Lee, James Cobb, John Wolfe, George Oswalt, Katherine Leonitas-Warren, Gayle Singer, Noelle McAlinden, Harvey Pratt, Sue Morrison and Tony Dyke, among others, have spent significant time as teaching artists and mentors.

Connie believes Treasure has undergone a metamorphosis since she returned to Oklahoma. Treasure believes connecting with the 1515 Lincoln Gallery has also inspired a change in her mom. Mary did not know how much time and emotion Treasure was pouring into her work until she shared her art with me. Recently, Mary asked Treasure if she could try painting. So, she laid her paint supplies on an old comforter, and her mom began painting. Treasure says “The experience made my mom realize why artists sell pieces for so much, and now she can't put down the brush!"

Recently Connie, Mary, and Treasure attended our current joint exhibition featuring works by XVALA and Dragana Milovic. The experience allowed Treasure to meet several of the artists and learn about their work. "Seeing the art, meeting Dragana, and hearing her thought process was a whole other level that inspired more confidence," says Treasure. I was thrilled to learn that she plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma next Fall and double major in Art and Marketing. I plan to do what I can to help her pursue her dream of becoming a professional artist, and I am hopeful to have a lifelong relationship with Treasure to watch her grow.

Before Treasure and I ended our conversation for this article, I asked her if she wanted to share any other thoughts. She paused and said she had a message for parents. "Support your children because you never know what it means to them. My mom did not know that my art was emotions, and now that she does, she understands me better, and it makes me feel good because I have the support to show the world who I am."

Treasure’s Artwork