Thoughts for Today

I am obsessed with painting. Sort of like that first love that keeps you awake and then starts your thoughts when you wake up. Except that I have been with this love since I was a todler and drew portraits to dazzle family members. Last night was one of those nights where you can't wait for the next morning to begin painting. Morning came and I stood in front of a blank canvas for minutes. Then I choked. Something like missing a two foot putt in golf to win the hole. I had my mind set into being faster yet deliberate in my brushstrokes, freer. Sometimes we get too caught up in keeping the colors clean, in sticking to a color scheme, in forcing the subject, even in adding gimmicks to make the painting look pretty. We get caught up in that pretty sells. Yet even the most romantic and traditional of painters want to sell their art. There is no other way around it, you want to paint full time and have a family, a home, car, etc., you have to sell your art. Art schools need to teach the marketing aspect of being an artist.

Back to my morning. The truth is that not every painting I start is going to be successful or even worthy of selling. There are some in my studio that I wouldn't even give away. That is a fact. And then there are those that I don't want to see go. Well, I couldn't start the new canvas so I decided to go to my dried out oil paintings and I picked one that was cute but soul-less. One of those where you don't say "what was I thinking" but "what was I feeling".

I started painting with an all or nothing attitude, fast and uninhibited. Within the first hour I already created a major change in color perspective, color scheme, and mood. As the time went by the strokes got better and the painting got better. And I am liking it. Now, I'm taking a little break and making a few comments on this blog.

I must continue. Tonight I will post a picture of the final painting. See you later!