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Art in teen's blood, but she credits God

The Crystal River High junior, whose father pastors her church, is equally skilled through her voice and hand.

By APRIL SIMPSON
Published February 13, 2006

	[Times photo: Will Vragovic]
	Carmen Satchell, 17, of Crystal River is active in the choir at Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth. She is also an artist, whose charcoal sketch In His Solitude is on display at Crystal River High School. "I guess I'm good, but there are people who are better," she said. "I've got to be on my toes."

EDITOR'S NOTE: During February, which is Black History Month, the Citrus Times will publish profiles of some black leaders in the county.

CRYSTAL RIVER - Carmen Satchell, 17, lives in a quaint home surrounded by the artistic traditions of her family and church. Her father pastors a congregation across the street at Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, where Satchell has followed in the footsteps of her mother and aunts by singing in the choir Sundays.

She grew up with her second cousin's impressive charcoal drawings of African women decorating her living room and dining room. Above the china closet hangs a colorful abstract piece she created with her father as a child.

Although Satchell shares family members' artistic and musical talents, she emphasized that they are gifts from God more than familial traits. She began developing her artistic techniques after enrolling in a high school course, and, in fall 2004, she earned a merit award in a countywide high school competition.

Her charcoal sketch In His Solitude is on display at Crystal River High School.

"I guess I'm good, but there are people who are better," the sweet-tempered junior said. "I've got to be on my toes."

Satchell strengthened her vocal skills in church and on annual retreats. She has fond memories of her first performance before about 100 people. She was 3 years old and attending a retreat when she belted out Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with the confidence of a professional.

At age 10, she sang Oh, Happy Day for her local congregation. She is often called upon to lead worshipers in a spontaneous chorus of praise.

"They encouraged you. They always wanted you up front, and they didn't care how bad you did. They wanted you there," Satchell said of her church family. "Growing up in the church, my dad being a pastor, I sang a lot."

Satchell's great-great-grandmother, Mary Lena Lewis Tate, founded Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth at the turn of the 20th century. Satchell's great uncle, Meharry H. Lewis, a retired Tuskegee University professor and assistant chief overseer of the church, expected to have his biography of Tate published later this year.

"She was a great, great woman. She would not give up, even though she was a woman and they told her that women could not speak up in the church," Satchell said. "So, I know I have great blood in my veins. Her legend does live on."

[Last modified February 13, 2006, 00:45:19]