Early Walk

 This morning when I hiked around my Deer Woods Trail, I was led by Mr Moon. It was just dawn and the sun was still sleeping in the east. This is my week to get up before dawn and let my French Bulldog out for his break from his crate. The almost full moon threw off just enough light in the west to guide me along the path. When it is near dark, I am more aware of the sounds rather than sight along the trail.

I could clearly hear the song birds waking up to talk back and forth. Blackie the crow and his pals were not awake yet. They usually start cawing and flying about 7:30, looking for a diner for breakfast. It was even too early for the owls to clock out for sleep. They must have been off getting in that last quick hunt before bed time.

Strolling along in moon light is a really lovely way to start my day as a painter. I observe large shapes and think about the atmosphere as it gradually lights along the way. The soft cool moonlight over the tall pines in. the west is lovely to see.

I think about my projects for the day and listen to small animals rustle along the edge of the path in the woods. The tortoises are asleep, but I call them by name as I pass their dens. Having a life in rural north Florida is extraordinary for a landscape and nature painter. As I age, I have become happiest out here in the woods and farm land my parents thoughtfully purchased 60 years ago. 

Life is wonderful for a country painter….

Muscle Memory

 I am a science buff and I've been reading  about muscle memory. I read up on muscle memory and found this paragraph in a Popular Science article.

 "Neurons inside your muscles play a strong role too, of course, but [the pattern of activity](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16290273?dopt=Abstract) that helps you perform the same action over and over happens inside your brain. It only feels like something your muscles are doing on their own." I am grateful for this muscle memory that my brain tells my hands that they can still be steady enough to do some art. 

 That is the great thing about being an artist. There are no real limitations except the ones we place on ourselves in our own minds. Over the years we evolve with physical changes and our taste changes in color and design. As a young painter my color saturation was intense in my work. As I mature as a painter, I have subdued my palette quite a bit and am more interested in value and contrast, moving closer to a Notan approach of values transition.

 I was a long time Plein Air addict, but have become most comfortable in the studio, due to health restrictions. No matter, anytime I can paint in or outdoors, I am grateful and lucky! I still get out in cool weather to do a few paintings. 

 

I hope to paint and draw the rest of my life, however long that is. The gift of creativity is precious and should be honored and cared for, not taken lightly by artists or society. Think about the fact that a painting is done once in a lifetime. Owning it, the only one of its kind is very special. That is why I don't make reproductions of my work. There should only be one.

 

Life and science are wonderful for country painters…

Issues

 I’ve had some health issues this year. One thing it has taught me is to be flexible. I was able to paint about ten real paintings this year and I am grateful for that. I have a lot of muscle pain in my arms legs and hands right now, so I have switched to making paper and making hand made paper collages.

 

Moving to different art mediums gives me a fresh outlook on my work, until my hand dexterity improves again. I know it will. I am confident that I will get back to painting again. I have always found a way to be an artist. Reinventing my art every now and then keeps me learning and growing. The collages have improved my drawing and design skills greatly. 

 

All art is good and fun for country painters….