The Islander: Babette Thanem |
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Texas Beach Dreaming. Photo: Courtesy of Painting with BB's Facebook post. |
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Popular for her consistently sold-out art classes held at Lobo Del Mar, Babette Thanem followed her calling, leading art classes on the dock. “I believe I’m led where I’m supposed to be led. It’s part of my ministry.”
Since her childhood, artistic creativity flowed through Babette Thanem, better known as “BB,” who is the first-born of eleven children in her family. |
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In her classes, BB gives step by step directions while also encouraging painters to add their own twist. |
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Although she was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, she insists that her heart has always been in Texas. “Most of my family was from Texas. They raised me as a Texan, and I’ve always felt like a Texan.”
It all started in Gorman, Texas, where her grandma catered to artistic creativity and allowed her to draw on her walls, despite the discipline she received from her mother for it. Still, when painters would come in to paint the house, her grandma protected BB’s wall drawings like treasure. “She told me, ‘One day when I get enough money, baby, I’m going to send you to art school.’ I was four years old.” |
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“Shimmer Sand Sea Birds,” Courtesy of Painting with BB's Facebook post. |
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Money was tight, and BB didn’t go to art school. As a result, BB doesn’t describe herself as an artist but as someone who is “in touch” with her artistic creativity, which she believes everyone has. “We are all plagiarists of the Lord’s art. Some people are more in touch with it than others. There’s only one artist. That’s how I feel.” Painting from the heart and painting from school are two different types of painting for BB. “I’ve never had schooling, but when I see people in the class who are happy with their paintings and they never had any type of training, it’s more valuable to me.” |
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As a creative, BB was interested in everything and dabbled in several mediums, starting with pencil as a little girl. Her art method is letting the ideas flow through thoughts and listening to find peace.
BB has stuck to art her whole life because of happiness. Her favorite medium is oil painting, and she loves to paint nature. Currently, she’s working on portraits. |
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