My Bio...
If you were to meet her on the street you
would never know from her smile and self-confidence that behind those
eyes once hid a shy, insecure young girl. As the oldest daughter of deaf
parents Belinda Collinge-Haselschwerdt learned at a very young age to be
articulate and well-spoken. She had no choice, she was her parents' link
to the outside world. But in doing so, she felt the pressure of being an
adult at an early age, the responsibility of their expectations weighed
heavy on her young soul.
Belinda turned to writing poetry at age 11
to deal with the anxiety she felt, to express her
feelings of being disconnected from the real world, a bystander in her
own life. Today she is a different person, her friendly personality and
compassion for others a warm blanket that envelopes you when you get to
know her. "I had an interesting childhood, some of it was tough, but
there were a lot of wonderful times too." Belinda grew up in New
Baltimore on Anchor Bay where most of her family still resides.
She spent much of her childhood
boating, fishing, and camping with her family on Lake St. Clair. "I will
never forget the sunsets on the lake that still inspire me. I spent
quite a bit of time out at the end of our dock writing poetry and
dreaming of my future." Belinda now resides in St. Clair with her
husband, four kids, and her three mini-schnauzers.
As a young teen Belinda began drawing and found it was something she truly enjoyed, an escape she treasured. She didn't began painting until the age of 18 when her maternal grandmother introduced her to oil painting, taking her along with her to friend Alice Bode's house to paint in her basement. She painted with them for a little over a year, developing what would be a life-long love. "I don't have any formal training but thanks to my Nana, and my dear friend, Carolyn Szymanski, who taught me how to use watercolors, I have gotten the fundamentals and am grateful for their lessons. Without them I would have never had the courage to explore my creativity on my own."
After the birth of her first child in 1991 she put painting on hold for
the next 15 years. With four children and finding herself divorced at
the age of 30, she found herself on a journey of self-discovery. At this
time she went through some life-changing experiences, including almost
losing her oldest son to a serious illness. "I am a strong believer in
'that which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger'. God has graciously
given me a second chance and I don't intend to waste it. I want to reach
others who may be hurting or struggling through my poetry and my art."
Belinda's poetry is her way of sharing with others her deepest feelings,
thoughts, and ideas. "I am inspired to write by variety of things...I
write about personal experiences, about others' experiences that have
been shared with me, or things I have seen and heard around me. In any
case, when I write it is usually because I have been moved intensely by
something, it just comes to me." She is also inspired by the writings of
Anne Sexton, Billy Collins, and Erica Jong.
In
2003 Belinda remarried and in 2004 she was able to quit her job as
Administrator for China Township. She was able to start painting again
and it was then that she realized how much she had missed it. "It was
like I had been missing a part of myself. I don't feel 'whole' unless I
am able to be creative, whether it being painting or writing. It keeps
me balanced and in touch with my feelings. " As her passion for the arts
reignited she began experimenting with various mediums. She began doing
watercolors, mainly painting landscapes, with a fondness for trees and
snow scenes.
April
of 2007 she was introduced to Winnie Schuette & Elizabeth Wilcome from
The Shop on Whipple
Street and the rest is history. After setting up her studio there she
has been inspired to try different things and has just recently
discovered acrylics "They're amazing! I would have never had the courage
to try them if it hadn't been for my friends at The Shop!" Thanks to
them Belinda is exploring new ideas and finds herself developing a more
abstract style with bolder colors, being especially fond of vibrant
blues . She feels that this medium allows her to be more creative and
gives her freedom to express her personality and feelings in a whole new
way. "Being a part of a community of artists has opened doors to ideas I
would never have had on my own! I love the friends I have made here,
they are like sisters to me, we inspire and motivate each other. It is
wonderful!"
Having only just put her work out into the public very recently, Belinda finds that sharing it with others to be filled with
mixed emotions. "I am so critical of my work and don't always feel
confident about letting others view it. But after doing the 'Renaissance
Roam-Home and Art Tour' in May 2007 with my fellow Shop members, I've
found that it can be a rewarding experience. It was my first show ever
and I had never had anyone other than family and friends see my work. To
have complete strangers come up to me and say such wonderful things was
something I will always treasure. I also sold my first painting that
weekend! The couple that purchased it told me they felt my painting
'spoke' to them and they had to have it. I was so touched. It was also
hard to let it go, like sending one of my children out into the world.
But, I am also happy that my art is in someone's home for them to
enjoy."
Belinda's work can be seen at her studio upon appointment and is also on
display at various salons and venues throughout St. Clair County. She is
a member of Studio 1219 & The Starkweather Arts Center.