When I moved to San Francisco and began my life as an empty nester, I wanted to get involved in the arts. I have been an art enthusiast my entire life. I have painted from my earliest memories and studied with the famous Berkeley Painter Joan Finton in my 20s. I spent several years painting in her studio, and during that time, she was an inspiration to me not only as a painter but also as a woman. She was a mother figure to me, offering me instruction on my painting, delicious dinners, and advice that I relied on as I, too, became a wife and a mother. At the time, all I wanted to paint were flowers! Every week, we would discuss how I needed to paint something other than flowers, and I finally acquiesced and painted landscapes and, later, ocean scenes, my other love. Yet, I still love to paint flowers like these little watercolor gift tags for friends.
When I moved to San Francisco, I joined the Fine Arts Museum's auxiliary group, and now I am proud to say I am on the Executive Committee. It's been a joy to be involved with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and this exemplary philanthropic organization. Bouquets to Art, raises money to fund many of the museum's exhibits throughout the year.
This week, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Bouquets to Art, our annual floral exhibition that lets you engage with the de Young's expansive collections in new ways as flowers imitate art.
Leading floral designers return to the galleries to showcase innovative botanical arrangements inspired by museum masterworks. Inspiration waits around every corner, from striking sculptural creations throughout the galleries to a majestic hanging installation in Wilsey Court depicting an orchid root.
I have always loved flowers and art, so to me, this is the perfect combination in every way. Working with flowers and art is a wonderful complement to running my boutique sailing apparel company and working in leadership with my corporate clients.
At this point in my life, I have what is called a portfolio career, where I work on the things I love the most. You can learn more about career portfolios in this article by April Rinne, Why You Should Build a "Career Portfolio" (Not a "Career Path") Harvard Business Review.
I love my passion project, Ocean SF, and working with my summer interns. I have also fallen in love with leadership development, which I believe is the work I was made to do. It is extremely rewarding to see my clients grow and reach their goals with a supportive structure to guide them.
I'm looking forward to the summer sailing season and spending the rest of this week at the de Young Museum with the fantastic flowers.
The exhibition runs through June 9th. For tickets, go to the Museum of Fine Arts San Francisco website.
Love and Blessings,
Sydney Chaney Thomas
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