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On long trips I enjoy listening to books on tape. Lately it has been Harry Potter for the third or fourth time. I think there are many valuable insights in this series. J.K. Rowling is a genius at depicting adolescent behaviors, and human foibles.  One of the many refreshing things about Harry Potter is its lack of over the top preoccupation with safety. In our culture, I have noticed  “be safe” has become a very common farewell, replacing “have a great time.” It seems we are becoming a world of wusses. In HP, a great game of Quidditch involves flying at breakneck speeds on brooms, dodging bludgeons, and, in general, having a rousing good time. There are no overprotective helicopter parents at the Quidditch match!

In many areas being safe can insidiously seep into your expression, whatever it may be. Art is susceptible. I think it should be actively resisted. It is easy to slip into a formula of creating that meets with the approval of the majority. History has shown that to be the case. The Salon des Independants was established in Paris in 1884 in response to the rigid traditionalism of the official government-sponsored annual exhibit. Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, Toulouse-La Trec, Camille Pissarro and other now well-known and admired artists, established the annual exhibit to present their work to the public with no restrictions. They didn’t want to be safe!

I am passionate about landscape painting because I love the land and grew up in the mountains. Landscape painting is currently a very popular genre, especially plein air, which is done outside. This has its pros and cons. The increased interest has also increased the amount of collectors seeking work, which is good for artists. The temptation to recreate a certain look over and over again is not. In all work, one does not want to remain stationary. Like a growing child, the spirit and body change with experience, nurturing, and time passing. The romantic notion of the artist pursuing his passion in all kinds of conditions is deeply embedded in the collective conscious. People are interested in stories, and that one seems to be among the most compelling. The American character was born on independence and pushing beyond barriers. That ideal is something I hope is inherent in my work.  Is not any pursuit more thrilling when not homogenized? What do you think?