Painting Saves My life
I consider myself a lucky guy. Not "win the lottery" lucky or "strike gold" lucky or "have my horse come in" lucky. I have the kind of luck that is intangible. You could say it's the kind of luck that shapes my life while allowing me to learn and grow. I've had many experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. I suppose many can claim the same fact. I've had good and bad experiences. I've met people who have taken an interest in and allowed me to be me while guiding me. And I've been lucky to be able to create ART. I know this seems a cliche or casual comment, but when I consider how art makes me feel I have to believe I've been lucky to be given this ability. Now I don't want to make it seem that I'm a natural or painting came easy. In fact, learning to paint is hard and was hard to get to this point. I also realize how much more there is to learn. It's a process that may never end. There is much to learn and I'm limited only in my belief that I can't go further. Or by what I choose to believe by the comments of others.
I started drawing at an early age. Does anyone remember John Negy. I used to sit in front to the T.V. on Saturday mornings and draw along with John Negy. My coarse wasn't a straight one to where I am today. I've deviated quite a bit. But art was always there. Sometime in the shadows. Sometime it helped me survive a crisis. It wasn't until thirty years ago when I decided to make art my career choice that I began to realize how important art was and how much art was apart of my life. I believe making art a center point saved my life. I have now reached a point in my painting where I can control the medium and be expressive. It has become a part of my vernacular if your will. I can speak my mind with paint and express my feelings. I can manage my tools to the point where I can put my feelings and thought on canvas in a clear manner. I know there are other artists and those in other professions who know what I'm talking about. It transcends art. Chef's and athletes or any person in any endeavor who has reached a pinnacle of proficiency knows what I mean. Your art becomes an extension of you. The two are one. This could also be interpreted as an artists "style."
There is great solitude necessary to create good work. In that solitude comes discovery. An artist needs to find himself, know himself to create a work that will speak for him. His voice needs to be clear and his words concise and accurate. I love to paint as much as I need to breath. So when I say to you that art has not only saved my life it has also shaped it and continues to make me get up every day and face the bitter cold of reality.
There is great solitude necessary to create good work. In that solitude comes discovery. An artist needs to find himself, know himself to create a work that will speak for him. His voice needs to be clear and his words concise and accurate. I love to paint as much as I need to breath. So when I say to you that art has not only saved my life it has also shaped it and continues to make me get up every day and face the bitter cold of reality.
