Expertise

Expertise means something. If I could have a dollar every time I hear someone say

”I can do that” in front of someone’s painting, I would be well off financially indeed. Good painting looks easy and effortless.

Any expert in any field makes the work look easy. If you watch house building shows on TV it looks easy. Now try it yourself! Through the digital world, we think we have become experts at everything. 

 Fine art takes a big hit on this issue because anyone can buy paint and brushes and suddenly become a painter. They don’t have to go through the arduous lengthy and expensive process of obtaining art degrees like I did. 

 My point is that to be an expert in any field, you must be well trained, with years of practice. There are very few masters in any field. I would never think of myself as a master painter, though I’ve painted for over 60 years, with art degrees. I am but a student of the game. Calling yourself a master painter is the highest form of hubris, though I see artists do that all the time. Most master painters think of themselves as mere students. Experts in all fields are in rarified air. 

 Life is humbling for country painters......