Do you think an artist ever truly "arrives"? By that I mean achieve all their creative goals? I don't think so. Every time I reach a new level of knowledge in my technique, a new challenge presents itself. This is good, both for me and for artists reading this. Many of you have emailed kind words of enthusiasm about my work, and of course I am grateful. But even an artist who seems to make it look easy has challenges. That's part of what this art creating is all about. One can never "arrive"! We are all on a journey to different destinations, with the destination constantly moving! Frustrating? Only if you focus on the destination instead of all the beautiful points along the way. One of the reasons I don't get intimidated by a blank canvas is because I always see it as a step on my journey, not a performance on the platform of the destination. It's all in the attitude you bring to the easel. Am I learning, or performing? Yesterday's painting opened a door to new thoughts about edges and space, and now I will be following a different destination's path on controlling more of the execution of those elusive edges for better paintings. "It never ends." When applied to things other than art, that would elicit a sigh. I have a huge grin on my face!
Today's painting is a 6 x 6 gallery-wrap oil, and just a bit of fun. Called "In the Park" it shows a man and his dog, both taking what we call "practice naps". Perhaps he was at an obedience trial? Or retired and just enjoying the day in the park. No matter who or why, the scene is timeless, and tinged with humor. Those of you looking for some learning, notice the gradual transition from intense foreground colors with high contract between light and shadow, versus the distant areas, made clearly so because of less contrast, and less color intensity.
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