With errands and other things yesterday was a challenging day. I forced myself to move the paint around and as usual if I get out of my way something good may happen. I try to encourage different actions in my process which may translate to a new direction or a surprise result. When you feel like your work has a series of go to moves any opportunity for change or variety is desirable. Bringing me back to one of my favorite mantras, Paintings Come From Painting.

Being away from the studio for a period of time and working small on paper changes things. For three months my studio is a tabletop using acrylic paint on three different sizes of paper and board: 8”x10”, 9”x12” and 18”x24”. Series or Groups of Work develop and I’ve continued some ideas from my studio practice. The thought of nature, incorporating Flora of some kind has been in the back of my mind but so far abstract ideas rule the day. Things change, maybe today i will draw something with graphite as opposed to diving in with a brush. I wonder, I am just lazy? I go through periods of drawing regularly, the challenge and rewards are great. It’s different work and approach and the bottom line is I’m not sure what I have to say or contribute as far as a rendering of an object. In my mind I am capable of executing a beautiful drawing but that’s not enough you must take pencil to paper. Someday I will again, in the meantime I dive in with a brush and color. Ahh me.

The Huge painting below is of Big Sur, the truly awesome California Coast which is having problems today with roads crumbling into the ocean. let me clarify it’s not the coast that is having problems but humankinds ability to conquer it. Is anyone surprised?!