Music Was My First Language
Music was my first language — long before art ever took the lead.
As a teenager and into my twenties, I traveled with my guitar always close, tucked safely in its case and resting in my lap on buses and airplanes. It went everywhere with me. It wasn’t a question — it was simply part of who I was.
©Laurie Pace Graphics One Design 2026
One of my favorite memories still makes me smile. Coming home from church camp in New Braunfels, Texas, guitar in hand. If the bus wasn’t crowded, the music would start. Someone would sing, someone else would hum, and before long the whole space would feel lighter. Music has a way of doing that — it gathers people without asking permission.
Over the years, I’ve played piano, guitar, organ, harp… and yes, even a harmonica I taught myself during Covid. I’ve taught children music and art, and while I’m not teaching right now, the music has never stopped living inside me. Classical, Irish tunes, folk songs, and today’s worship music — especially those that speak straight to the heart.
Art eventually became my work, my calling, my long work devotion building my art career. But music remained my companion. I used to play while painting — until I found myself dancing too much in the studio. Some things refuse to stay quietly in the background.
Lately, I feel the song again, asking for time and space. Not to replace the art — but to walk beside it. Music doesn’t need explanation. It speaks where words and images sometimes fall short.
Music was my first language.
And it still understands me best. Elle
music as first language, artist and musician, guitar memories, church camp music, creative life and music, painting and music connection, faith and creativity, artist studio reflections, music and art journey, soulful creativity
Laurie is an international artist, her paintings are collected in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, DuBai, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, St Thomas, Romania, Greece, Croatia, and Ecuador.
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