Slow Feed

"Near The Edge"

oil on linen panel, 6" x 8"

It is like being fed ever so slowly when one reflects about how much one actually learns in one painting session. It seems, most of the time, that the learning is imperceptible. It isn't until one looks back over a large number of paintings that the growth from those tiny little lessons becomes obvious.

Often, it isn't until one is pressed to deliver quickly that one sees suddenly that he or she can indeed come up with the goods. That vision of possibility is often shrouded and hidden in the morass of digging through details. When time stipulates a hasty sketch only . . .or an impression . . . it is amazing how simple shapes and smudges of color just seem to speak up . . .and not only about the subject, but what's now in the hand of the person who painted it. Growth seems obvious to me when I can see a painter snap off two or three quick, seemingly simple 'studies' from which a larger work can be painted later. Those skills only come from lots of practice.

It is indeed a slow feed. But if one just puts their head down and concentrates on making practice daily, amazing things show up.