Blog

Being an artist encompasses much more than I first imagined. I think one of the blessings of youth is impetuousness, which can propel one in a life direction that an older person may never consider. Art is one of the major unbroken threads that have held my life together since the day I made a conscious choice to "be an artist, come what may." I was about 23, hiking at the bottom of Walnut Canyon near Flagstaff Arizona. Most people visit the canyon to see the ancient cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people higher on the canyon walls. Fascinating as those dwelling are, the canyon itself offers an abundance of solitude and peace, and to me a better portal into contemplating those ancient people’s lives, and my own.

Choosing a direction is not a life time warranty. It is something that must be chosen over and over, and the road map changes along the way. Art has led me down the roads of satisfaction, despair, joy, and many varying other emotions. It has and continues to be a great teacher. If I ever thought that an artist’s life was one of solitude, away from the whirlwinds of life, I now know the opposite to be true. Everyone needs their peace, and that means different things to different people. I do find peace in painting, but I also find it amongst friends and family, and a life that is multi layered and seeking balance.  

Artists often do other work besides their art, first for practical reasons, and later I think because they find, as I have, it adds a depth to their lives, and therefore to their art. As a younger person, the thought of being a teacher made me cringe. I didn't think it was active or engaging enough. I didn't have enough experience to realize that you bring who you are to your students, as well as your expertise and passion. Your students in turn do the same for you. 

Commission work is in the category of other work. Although it is painting, it is not painting that is done without boundaries, meaning, on your own volition, without input from another person. Commissions are good for artists. Again as a younger person, the thought of painting with boundaries of any sort did not appeal to me. After all, weren't artist’s wild free spirits, not meant to be fenced in in any way? Now I realize certain boundaries are not necessarily bad, but are in fact good. I think before boundaries are broken, they must be mastered. Maybe noncommissioned painting has its own boundaries. They just aren't as obvious. Painting is a journey of self-discovery. Many many bad paintings must land in the burn heap before any seem to have the spark that makes you tingle, and you know you’ve broken a boundary.

Life in all its aspects is hard to figure out. I am grateful for my threads of family, friends, the great outdoors, and art. They buoy me up when I need it, and spur me on when I need that. I in turn hope I do the same.