My name is Sheila Atchley, and I am a mother of prodigals.

Much like I used to think I was above having a “midlife crisis” until I had one, I also thought I was above being in “toxic relationships” until I realized I’d been in some. And I had not been in them for a little while; I had been in them for a long time.

The most common thing I hear from women in the middle is this: “Why spend money and time making art?  What good does it do?  I only have so much room for canvases to pile up.  I am not selling what I make.”