My name is Anita Horton.
I am motivated to be an instrument of change. I’ve been told by some people that I remind them of the Tracy Chapman song, “Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution”. This was a great compliment when I received these words. I am an encourager, especially for people to be strong and brave. I am a lover of learning and a teller of tales. I am a collector of information and a researcher extraordinaire. I am a maker of lists and a generator of ideas. I am an inventor. A collaborator. A mobilizer.
Roughly, the first half of my life was spent in the show-me state of Missouri. I was raised by a seamstress and a farmer. Both my parents lived through the Great Depression and found a use for every kind of thing before throwing it out. Holes in the knees of jeans got a patch, old tires became sandboxes, old dress shoes became fancy cars for my dolls and snow was made into ice cream. Growing up in the country with little to do on lazy summer days created fertile soil for my imagination.
Everything that came after that is fairly routine: School. Degree. Family. Career. And then I won a trip to Paris and London and my whole life changed. I fell hopelessly in love with seeing the world. And this is where my story begins. . .
I have been working as a professional artist since 1982. I have worked in the advertising and graphic design field for 15 years. I have taught art full time for 11 years. No one ever wonders where they stand with me. I easily share my opinions and don’t engage in head games.
My story is that I am a single, middle-aged female, an artist and a teacher and I have found a way to travel and see the world on a limited budget. My goal is to encourage others to use their talents, live every day passionately and purposefully and to live adventure-filled lives. I experience beauty in the world through remarkable people and places that are different from me and all that I’ve ever known.
This blog will serve as a file cabinet of information on art and the importance of it in our world and in individual lives of people. I will look at beauty and reflect on it and inspire the world to find beauty in even the banal. I will provide information on art careers and how to incorporate creative problem solving into many vocations.
Additionally, this blog will serve as a treasure box of discoveries and opportunities for teachers that I’ve uncovered that will encourage lifetime learning, joy and creative expression. I will work to provide a creative program of study about the places I travel to and experience.
This blog will also serve as a resource for gaining inexpensive international travel options that will expand your vision of what’s possible. I will share my resources and I will encourage my readers to “live large” and make the most of every day you have left on this great and wonderful planet Earth.
And finally, my readers will partner with me to experience my joys and heartaches of making a decision of whether to leave my home, my country and my most loved job as a middle and high school art teacher in Texas, to move abroad and teach in an international school on another continent.
Happy reading. I look forward to you making this journey with me. I am very grateful if you decide to follow my blog and I encourage you to write me with questions and comments.
anitajohorton at me dot com
Brandon’s post was so sweet and touching(he’s like my second son), and I loved your response. They both made me cry.
I can’t wait to hear about all the wonderfully exciting things you are doing with your students in Turkey!
Dear Sharon, thank you so much for reading the blog. I have sweet, sweet students. That’s the hard part of leaving.
When you told us today at school i was both sad and very happy that you will be going after your dream. On my very first day of art in 5th grade i knew it was what i wanted to do. when i got you again this year i was over exited and ready for my first day of 2D/3D. when i walked in it was just as i imagined. i couldn’t wait to have you again in sculpture class in high school. even though i wont get to continue my journey with you it will keep going. i will be praying for you every night and hoping your journey will go perfectly. i will be checking in on your progress with this blog(by the way a great idea).
Dear, sweet, Brandon! I love you and your thoughtful post made me cry. You are experiencing the exact same emotions I am experiencing. It’s weird to have both sad and happy feelings happening at the same time. You are special to me and I know you would have ended up being one of those seniors in high school that I make friends with and stay in touch with forever. So, let’s just make that happen a few years early.
I also knew, when you were in 5th grade, that you had tons of creative talent. What makes you so super special is your ability to listen to critique, not take it personally, trust me and continue making discoveries with your artwork. You are a GREAT art student and I do NOT want you to not take art simply for the dumb reason that I won’t be there. All the TCA teachers are super great and you will learn so much from them. You have been an awesome 2d3d Art student. Your presence in my classroom automatically makes it a special place. I’m already thinking about a way to have my next year’s foreign-student class do a collaborative project with you guys. Wouldn’t that be fun? Maybe you students could trade artworks and become technology pen pals with one another. Do you like that idea? And as far as you and I are concerned, let’s Skype!!! I want to stay in touch with you and your family. Let me talk with your parents about that possibility. You can keep me up to date with what you’re doing. With all the technology available, surely we can find a way to stay connected, don’t you agree? I will be praying for you every night too. You are amazing, Brandon…so talented in football and in art! Lucky you!!
Anita, are you here in Boston? I don’t know how to find you. My Google Voice is 719-357-5837. Call me or email me and we’ll try to connect in Cambridge about how your fair is going! Suzanne
Hey, Suzanne!! I really appreciate the effort you took to come meet me! I wish you loads of luck in Abu Dhabi! Please keep in touch!!! Let’s continue our conversation about the change of mail address… xo
I know exactly what you mean about traveling opening your eyes. I was originally from Mexico…raised there most of my life. Then I went to Canada. And Boston. And now I live in Seattle and plan on going to Europe one day. Don’t know when…but…some day!
Hello! I saw that you liked my blog and I’ve been looking yours over. Very nice work! You certainly do know what I mean about traveling. Keep dreaming about Europe…you will LOVE it!
Anita, my name is Jenny Walker….or as you may remember me …..Jenny Farthing…..I love your blog….I, too, am an art teacher. I teach in Rogers, AR at a large high school. I also love to travel and have been to Europe many times……you’re going to love this…..I have been on 7 Rick Steve’s tours…..I go with his groups to learn the ropes of a country and then return on my own……I am also familiar with Chris G…..this past summer I met a group in Todi, Italy for a painting workshop…..(artendeavors.org…click on european workshops….that’s Nina and myself contemplating an artistic decision) Anyway, I have enjoyed reading your posts. Jenny
Jenny Farthing? From Ozark? Oh my goodness!
I am thrilled to hear from you! Dying to know how you found my blog. I’m emailing you now! Love, anita
[...] resource for brave artists, teachers and travelers who prefer to live life differently HomeAboutArchivesArtworkQualificationsResumePhilosophy of Art EducationSamples of [...]
[...] now, years later, I’m asking the same question: Should I stay or should I go? This time, I’m talking about my job, the Dallas art scene, my home in Texas and my country. [...]
only just discovered this dear Anita! You never cease to amaze me, and this is just beautiful! I so look forward to reading your stories and adventures and hope to join you on the way!xx
Dear Friend,
Thank you for reading my blog! I’m very excited about it. You, too, amaze me. I definitely want you to join me on the way. With love, a
I do believe you are setting quite a few woman on an interesting new journey. In this life we do not know how many people we touch. We do have a responsibility to be as positive, sharing, and inspirational as possible. Oh yes, and smile. Smile a lot. Virginia
Virginia (I think?),
Oh, how I hope I can be encouraging to women (especially!) Smiling I can do; especially when I’m traveling.
It is the morning of a cold, grey, dark and dull day. Still in bed, I made up my mind to be depressed today, for wihich I have at least three very good reasons, no, wait, four. So, what the heck, a little self pitty should be allowed once in a while. I should not have broused your page, now that I have come across ABOUT, you got me thinking about making this day into an adventure. Thank you. I will miss you so badly in Exmore. Hope to see you soon.
Claudia
Sweet friend, How thrilled I am that I helped drag you out of the pit of depression! Hallelujah!
I have at least three of my own reasons to be depressed too, but we have to bear each others’ burdens and continue to shine the light. Yes! Adventure! And you are so good at it! I can’t stand the thought of you being in Exmore and me being in hot Texas. blah. xoxoxo Come see me!!!!!
Anita, what would you say if I told you my junior high art teacher squelched my artistic bent when she held up my work in front of the class and remarked that it was the worst art she’d ever seen? I never took another art class until after I retired from teaching. Then I went to the Springfield Art Museum for a drawing class and that teacher told me I had talent. Two or three art teachers at Ozark had mentioned my artistic bent when they would come into my classroom and see how I had different displays on the walls. I loved studying art in my humanities classes in college.
Sadly, what I would tell you is that I often hear that kind of story.
Tragic. I’m so sorry your enthusiasm for art making was put on hold for a few years but I am also very glad that you were brave and signed up for a drawing class later in life and found success! Making art is one of the ways that sets us apart from all other species on the planet. God, himself, is a creator, and we are made in His image. Of course we’re all a talented bunch! 
All the best…
Wow! I’m speechless. I came across your blog via my friend’s site: altmagic.com … I don’t know what to say other than I feel a little bad that I’m 42 and a home-bound artist. I would love to travel and gain new experiences but — there’s always that “but” in there that makes things complicated, yet it’s no excuse. I shouldn’t feel bad! More power to you! And more power to me! We all find ways to do what we can with what we got, right?
I’m motivated now to write more and do more… if only I weren’t so tired. Ugh. LOL
Dear Valentina, thank you for your comments. Don’t feel bad! You’re young! You can do anything you want to do. No negative thoughts allowed, only dreams and goals and positive energy. Yes, more power to you and me! Go change the world with gratitude.
Thank you! You’re so right. Sometimes we all need a little more encouragement.
Yay!
Anita, I am completely hooked! You are such a beautiful writer and person. I loved reading and getting to know you better. Wow! Thank you for sharing!!
Mendy, you have no idea how this pleases me. Thank you, friend. Please consider subscribing. Also please consider “liking” it or “sharing” on your wall on facebook (both of these are options under the Comment section). I am very serious about getting subscribers and followers b/c it will help me get to the next best thing.
Wow! Go Anita! I look forward to meeting you.
Hey, Heather…the feeling is mutual. Couchsurfing on April 8?
Congratulations on your launch! I read some of the posts, and concur whole-heartedly. We are “cut from the same cloth”. Although I don’t have a blog or personal website, if you read my Artists Statement on http://ahacollective.weebly.com/, you will see our common bond. I’ve loved getting to know your from the Nasher Sculpture Center Teacher Advisory board. Would love to do a trip with you someday!
Dear Sherry,
I have also loved getting to know you through the NTAB and look forward to our friendship growing. Let’s plan a trip! 
Thank you so much for reading and your comment! I read your Artist Statement and I think we are more alike than we even knew!
I loved reading all of this. You are so gifted in so many ways. I’m looking forward to hearing all about your upcoming journeys.
Tiff, thank you sooooo much for the encouragement. Thanks for your time in reading it. I love you; you know I do.
Congratulations! It’s so inspirational, interesting and informative!!!! Can’t wait to read more. Way to go!!!!!!
Terie Beth,
You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for your support, in more than one way!
Simply inspiring, my friend…BRAVO!!!!
Thank you, sweet friend! Thank you for your encouragement and love. xo
Congrats on the launch and birthing a beautiful baby.
Sweet Meg, Thank you! I’ve already told you how inspirational you’ve been for me! xo
Congrats on the launch. Beautifully done.
Oh, Anita! I am in! I will be following you (at least figuratively, if not literally)! What an inspiration! With my children grown, I finally have my life back and I have pulled out my dusty art supplies and started to act on my ideas and intentions. I’ve only just begun….
Vicki! It is so good to hear from you! We must get together and conspire about what to do with our adult lives!
Thank you very much for following. 
I like this woman!
And visa versa. I like you too! xo