giving back through reading

I have worked in various industries, including healthcare, education, construction, and information technology. I was even a 9-1-1 Dispatcher and ultimately a trainer teaching all new employees how to take calls and dispatch officers to those who needed help. I have always enjoyed being a trainer, which I find myself doing more of in the working world. Full-time I am a Proposal Manager, which also gives me a chance to be a leader, writer, and mentor. I believe everyone learns different, which is why I enjoy training. My philosophy is, “Everyone is different and so is their learning. You create a training plan but customize it for the student. Not the other way around!”

~ Now let’s move on to the fun stuff ~ Writing & Art

“The only limit in writing is punctuation!”

Writing has always come easy to me. I knew I would always become a writer. I just was not sure at what capacity. When I was a kid, I wrote an essay and my teacher gave me a yellow envelope. When I opened it, I removed the contents from it. There was a certificate “President’s Award for Writing.” I was shocked and elated. My teacher told me she loved my essay and submitted it to a contest. From there, I would write short stories and draw pictures that illustrated the words on each page. I always created a cover for my books and would staple or bind it like a book. I wonder if my Mom still has those books! Writing is one thing I can always go to all day. I find myself keeping small notebooks in my car to take notes when a thought comes to mind. I use the notepad in my phone, as well as the voice recorder to capture the beginning of stories I want to one day write. Words are limitless, and I love weaving them together to tell stories and see where the characters take me.

So what about art?

It all began when my Dad would draw cartoon characters when I was little. From Snoopy to Garfield, he would pull out a white pad of blank paper, a No. 2 pencil and the lead would fill the page. “Can you teach me that, Daddy?” I would ask him. From there, the rest is history. The last few years, I have been able to hone my art thanks to my boyfriend, Kinte who let me use his iPad. I downloaded a drawing app, and started sketching. “You’ve done more with that thing in one day than I have for the two years I had it.” I laughed and did the Michael Jordan shrug! You know the one. From there, he bought me my own iPad. Having the right tools makes a big difference. I love looking at my art over the years. I open a sketchbook and sometimes just flip through the pages.

One of the things I love the most is when my twin nephews call and ask, “Can you draw with me?”

Design ~ Design ~ Design

I love taking materials and seeing what I can turn them into. That is where the world of design with my hands started. I wanted a hat but did not want to buy one. I decided to teach myself how to make one. After a few tutorials from “YouTube University,” I went to Michael’s and bought a crochet hook and a skein of yarn. Skein! What a funny word! I started crocheting and made a cute yellow hat with a brim. I wore it pulled down on one side, covering one eye. But I couldn’t stop there. A girl has to accessorize. I went to back to Michael’s and bought some jump rings, ear hooks, and a pair of pliers. Would you believe it, I created matching yellow circular earrings. That marked the beginning of Hooked on Designs by Renee’. I launched a business selling hats, jewelry, accessories, and more. Now, I design accessories from all types of materials.

I love art because it brings me peace. It relaxes the busy thoughts running through my mind. I can come home from a long, busy day at work, set up a canvas, pour paints on a palette, and see where the brush takes me.