Growth

 

 

I have a lot of ups and downs as a painter, with periods of struggle and then nice easy periods. I never know when I will come into a bad stage or how long it will last. When I was a young painter, I used to feel panic about the bad painting spells, worrying that I would never come out of them, but now I know that they are a signal of a growth period for me. 
I’ve never been one to learn technique and then cruise. I see that frequently in some pretty highly skilled painters. Painters who have a real gift, but for whatever reason, don’t have the will or desire to push their skills along further. They have nice work and so they are comfortable with that level. Ten years later, their work looks the same. 

I feel lucky in a way to be a less than brilliant painter. I still crave that masterpiece that constantly stays out of my reach. I suspect that I would be lazy if I had great skill. Perhaps that is their great downfall, having great skill without the determination to reach further because they don’t have to be hungry anymore. They have a style and a palette that makes them money so why rock the boat?  I’ve always admired my pal Mitch Kolbe because he is constantly pushing himself further. We’ve been friends for some years. We were both in the same gallery years ago and did paint outs together back in the day, so I have been looking at his work for a long time. It constantly grows and evolves. To my mind he is a brilliant painter. I admire his skill and the beauty of his work. He is a fine and humble man. Now that he lives in NC, I miss painting with him. He is the kind of artist who is willing to trade ideas and give help to artists who are not as skilled.  The next fork in the road will show new technique for me to learn. The real joy of painting is the serendipitous, mystery of the game! The masterpiece is just around the corner.

Country Painters have a wonderful life......

Childhood Memories

 

 

My walk this morning was nice and cool after yesterday’s rain. I began to think about my childhood. In those days kids spent a lot of time outdoors. I think that was the beginning of my lifelong love of trees and the natural world. 

 

There were chores of course, hanging laundry on clothes lines, ironing, learning to cook and do dishes, dusting, sweeping and mopping as well. I recall that we spent most of our time at school or at home. We were self entertainers.  Most of my early passions for art and science were developed in my childhood years.

 

I have been learning slowly to try not to interfere with my daughters’ child rearing methods. They live in a very different world now than I did. I frequently read that the milinials and Gen Z generation scoffs at my generation and is impatient with our old ways. I’ve always felt that to judge other generations is foolish.

 

We old country painters are so lucky to be alive…..