Willow Bascom

I grew up in Saudi Arabia and Panama because my father was a pilot for ships, first guiding the big oil tankers in for Saudi crude and then ships of all sizes through the Canal. It was a great life and I was exposed to all sorts of different cultures and their art. Wherever we traveled I was amazed at how much people love to decorate themselves, their places of worship, fabric, even their vehicles. I especially admired the mola, a fabric panel sewn by the Kuna women of Panama.

It was only a couple of years ago after going into remission from a harsh dozen years with lupus that I really started drawing. (Because of damage to my hands I draw with pen and ink; and fill in with Sharpies or the computer.) And only in the past 6 months have I been able to say, "I am an artist," without looking around for someone to call me on my bluff. Now that I am drawing I can't stop, there is so much that I want to capture on paper, so many indigenous styles and historical patterns that I want to explore.

I live in Plymouth, VT, with my husband and have three children, the youngest a sophomore in college. I facilitate support groups for "Living Well with Chronic Illness,' am involved with Hope Day School in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

A portion of the proceeds from all my work goes for scholarships at Hope Day School in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Commissions of your favorite animal or power animal are possible; please email me to discuss details.