I am amazed all the time with artists who don't seize the moment and take advantage of situations. They pass up golden opportunities! They get stubborn, they bulk at a new idea and there by miss an opportunity to learn! I've met sculptors, oil painters, pastelists, etc. who refuse to think creatively when a problem arises. From being dissatisfied with a Life Session pose to complaining about some physical ailment, artists need to work around problems. My artwork projects are not so precious that I won't switch gears in mid-stroke. I'll try something different just to see what will happen. I always think I may stumble onto some technique or look that will be really interesting. Hey, I'll always go for it! I'll always Be Curious, Be Adventurous, Be Happy, Work Hard, Stay Peaceful.

Why make art? Communication, certainly. Connection, definitely! Some clients look at my work and are taken to a place in their past and a calm, happy feeling over takes them. What a connection!  A pet portrait client will exclaim, "That's her. That's my Baby!" I was plein-aire painting one day and a lady stopped and said, "You're making it look better then it does". That brought the scene into her and she was smiling when she walked away. I'll continue to make art and connect

Here's the mixed media painting of the elephant titled "Ancient Wisdom". I used pencil, oil paint, acrylic paint (including silver and gold), molding paste, cut and torn paper, stamping and markers on two canvases. Lots' of fun!

A lot of the artwork I've seen lately has looked the same. The plein-aire landscapes look like the same old stuff. How many of those can you paint over and over again and have them all look the same. A lot, apparently! I've tried pastel collage for something different. It looks a little different and it definitely is different to work with , , , not the easiest collage material! Check a few out under Abstracts. Just finished a multi-media piece of an elephant. VERY COOL!

Almost everyone has or has had the urge to draw. Every child draws. Chalks and pencils, markers and watercolors, all bring out the artist in the child. Too bad we become aware of the sophisticated, professional drawing. Then you don't draw any more. You are not good enough. But some of us do continue to draw, to record what we see and how we see it. Vincent Van Gogh said "I sometimes think there is nothing so delightful as drawing." I agree!