"Wild and Not Wild"

16 x 20

Another in the line of South Georgia/North Florida rural out-of-your-car-window paintings. Really, this is new genre. I said it first right here. Fact is, there probably is someone who has already said it and done it. He or she probably already had a big show. ("The World in Paint From the Window of my Model A Ford").

This is one of the problem us artists have. We want to have a unique voice. We want to be fresh. We want to be different. (We also wonder who's winning the Lakers/Suns game, but we don't say that out loud.) So how can you be different when humans have been painting since the Lascauw (sp ?) caves. (Caveman voice: Did you see Korg's deer? Looks, just like one I did last new moon. Him copysabertooth.)

Yeah, I can joke, but the truth is this bugs me. I consider myself pretty creative. Why can't I come up with a totally new look, or subject, or composition. Something. Well, I'll just keep painting. One day a blind pig . . . .

Oh, this painting really is from the window of the car. I love the conflict of wild and tamed. The trees are going wherever they can to find sun, and the farmer is planting to maximize production. I just think there is something cool about that. Anyway . . . keep looking. You too may find that acorn.

Thanks for looking.

"Looking Down"

36 x 36

Why do we do what we do? Don't expect any answers. I don't know. I spend a lot of time and mental energy doing this painting thing. For what? Cash? No I dont' think so. Strokes? I don't get too many. A desire to leave a bit of yourself for future generations? Not sure about that. I'm probably leaving more trash than treasure. A sense of accomplishment in mastering a thing? When do you get that sense. Even the supposed masters didn't have that. Cause you want to? Too simple, only restates the question and provides no answer. It's fun? Oh yeah, I forgot.

So here's the message if you're reading this because you think this guy knows something, or paints a decent painting, or if you're checking in on your favorite emerging artist (at 50, emerging yeah) -- Confidence is a tenuous thing. Sometimes its there. Sometimes not. Just pick up the brush and do something. Because? It's what you do. You can't think about not doing it. It has infected you. It will not go away. Might as well try to get good at it.

This painting is from a photo I took at Crescent Beach. I'm almost positive it was just a misfire on my camera. Going through my files it struck my eye. Simple but lots in it. Colors and textures. On one of those days I just thought 'what the heck'. Pick up the brush and lets do it. It might be trash or treasure. Not sure. But it does make me smile.

Thanks for looking.