Who's looking at who?

On my many travels to shows and openings I try to take some time to smell the roses if you will. Many times I’ll find a little out of the way place that later becomes my inspiration for my next painting. Sometimes I fell that I’m not alone, so who looking at whommmmm?

Today the shoe was on the other foot.

I was asked to jury the art show at the local high school, ironically this comes at a time when my works are being juried and judged throughout the country.
I walked the show no less then four times just to get an overall impression, (outstanding) and then I looked at each and every piece, the same way I would hope a jury would look at my own work. To see all that talent was wonderful, invigorating and simple amazing. I wanted to give them each and every one an award, as I could see all the hard work, the joy and the raw energy in the works of these young emerging artists. As with any show there clearly were some standouts and but then looking harder I found some real gems, sometimes way down at the bottom of the display or just in the mix of so much art. To me this process was about finding what was right with the piece, not what was wrong, to encourage young talent to keep on working, and in a flashback moment I remember how I felt winning some of these very same awards… it funny how life seems to run in circles.

The rustle of marsh grass

I gaze out at endless waterways; a soft breeze tickles my face. Bright sunlight reflected on distant waves makes the water simmer and dance with light and shadow. Echoes of mash birds and the rustle of marsh grass break the silence. These are the inspiration for my latest series of paintings.

Looking for the sun

A light spring rain is feeding my very green grass and soon I won't be able to find the studio for all the tall weeds. The dampness has also affected my ability to paint, as the drying times between paint layers are now very long. I however continue to get canvases ready for painting and will add layers to my new creations as they dry… which is soon I hope.

Catching Currents

As I pour my morning coffee an Osprey with a very large fish in its talons passes by my kitchen window. Straining under the weight she beats her wings hard and fast to gain some altitude and then simply opens them wide as she catches the air currents coming off the bay and ever so gracefully glides to her nest out in the harbor. Her glide reminds me of those big jumbo jets coming into the airport.
My hard work these past weeks has been very rewarding as I am really happy with the results, now comes the hard part-where to place my new works, and as I have an emotional attachment to them it’s sometimes hard to let them go.

Shades of spring

It’s cool, no make that down right cold, the kind of cold where the dampness cuts right through you. At the dock I can hear a flock of gulls calling, over the last few days there has been a hatch of bloodworms and the gulls are having their fill of them. Along with a large bloom of jellyfish the deep green water looks like something right out of a Sci-Fi movie with darting bloodworms and jellyfish moving throughout. At the studio I continue get ready for the upcoming exhibitions, framing, adding wire, mixing new colors and painting away and I’m very happy with the outcome.

The vastness inspires

Oh, how wonderful the daylight is here, the soft blue sky ever mixing with the colors of the sunset. And with a great CD playing endlessly I find myself transformed, somewhat transfixed to a place of wonderment, peace and joy. I feel the warmth, the openness, the vastness of this plane and it fills me, surrounds me, and inspires me to paint.