A collection of stories, thoughts and good vibes from my back porch

 How can I make a believable impression of something? What can I express through this perspective? How can I speak to someone who will love what I am doing? 

Lately I have been getting comments on how far I have come as an artist in such a short time. Nice to hear, but I feel so far away from what I know is still inside me - and I believe there is some fantastic art that is yet to have been created inside me. One thing for sure - I know I am getting better because I practice...a lot. And with each new painting, I strive to create something better than the last. It doesn't always work, but I believe consistency, persistence, and practice is getting me there. I know one day 20 years will have passed, and I can then say I've been practicing 20 years. And I'm sure my work will show it, but I know it won't happen if I am not constantly thinking and painting. Practice, practice, practice. 

I am extremely fortunate to have other artists around me who encourage me and give me ideas. I have those around me who are not afraid to tell me what might make a piece work better, or what I can add or take out to make the composition work. I am fortunate to know some masters that I have had the privelege of watching so I can learn a new technique or how to mix a certain color. (I found out not too long ago how to make a wonderful shade of gray using indian red, naples yellow, ultramarine blue, and some white.) And depending on the underlying tone of the land, one might use a deep cadmium red, a cad yellow, ultra blue, and white. I learned that while discussing color with one of my mentors. Thanks, David...

So I am beginning to like my work - more than I have in the past, and I am learning with each work.