An Appreciation of My Great Grandfather and Artist William Posey Silva

I have been telling the story of my Great Grandfather, William Posey Silva for years now. It has inspired thousands of creative dreamers to follow the call and give back. For many years, I shared it daily at my lovely lavender farm and I am sure it is still being discussed today amongst my fellow lavender lovers. I think of him often and have his photo in my office to remind me to never be afraid to follow my heart.

It was not often in the early 1900s that someone changed their entire career and lifestyle in their early 50s. Although in today's world more and more of us are forced into this situation, my Great Grandfather chose it. I find it especially poignent now, that I have also re-invented my life in my early 50s! Creative, fearless living must run in my family. 

My Great Grandfather was a good business man with a successful family business handed down by his father. He was a lover of being outside and saw beauty in nature where he would often retreat to paint. When he and his wife decided to lay aside the business world in his early 50's and travel to Europe to study art, despite recognizing his desire for adventure and a creative one at that, his family thought this kind of behavior could have been portrayed as reckless. I heard there were many naysayers! Imagine that, even in the early 1900's, there were fearful negative Nelly's that would try to talk you out of your dreams! Well he and his wife would have none of it and they embarked on their journey via ship...(no airlines back then :)

He ended up studying and painting landscapes in Europe for years and began to develop his own unique, outstanding style. His understanding for color in nature and keen eye guided him to paint landscapes that other artist's did not see, let alone paint; and this brought him great recognition. He ended up painting with Matisse, Chagall, Picasso and many of the greats of the time! What an adventure he had! (I am sure now, that they all painted with lavender oil too, but that is another story!)

Their longing to come home brought them to Carmel By The Sea, California, where they purchased a charming artsy bungalow and began to paint gorgeous California landscapes. He became one of the early settlers in this artist colony and painted all over that beautiful Monterey Peninsula. He also often would travel the world to enter Art contests where he would go on to win many medals of recognition. He was called a "sincere" painter as he always painted outside in the force of nature. People had never seen the landscapes he so genuinely portrayed before and they were inspired. He was known as a painter that knew his limitations and would only paint or sketch what he felt capable of and he never imitated any other artist. Yet, he was always pushing his boundaries and desire for adventure!

Such great lessons for all of life, really. 

He ended up living a long, vibrant life, well into his 90s, painting and collaborating and sharing his creative love of nature. He lived a life of beauty. He became one of the founding fathers of of the Carmel Art Association, a first of it's kind, where artists came together to co-operate, a co-op, so to speak. There are many such places around the Country now inspired by these early California Landscape Impressionists. His work is today hanging in the Louvre in Paris and in many well known museums around the world inspiring others to appreciate the beauty of color and the outdoors.

I have been led by his story since I was a young child. It has helped me envision many beautiful landscapes in my lifetime, including our lovely farm. I have shared it countless times and recognize fully, that, had he listened to the naysayers that told him he was too old to start a career in art, and certainly not good enough to move across the world to paint with the masters...if he had listened, he would have missed out on a 30 plus year career of painting with the best, as one of them.

This is what life is about for me...To live my dreams and to inspire others to do the same. Find your vehicle and drive it towards YOUR dreams friends. Don't let silly old excuses stand in your way. Get on  your ship and ride! Be FREE!

I hope this inspires you to never give up on your dreams, no matter what the obstacles seem to be, or how unmoveable a situation seems to be. Find your destiny and follow it.

It starts with listening to your heart. 

Thank you William Posey Silva for being so receptive,  so creative and a part of my story.

Janice Heyward Silva