MY STORY
Not an artistic bone in my body
Well that’s what I thought. I was a business guy both in schooling and my professional life. Then I made a life altering mistake. One year after earnestly agreeing to a partners heartfelt concern I spoke as if that conversation and commitment had never occurred. That betrayal instigated a series of events which ultimately found me cast out from the business I had founded. OUCH!
Sometime during my 50’s something special occurred which allowed me to understand why I didn’t retain that verbal commitment and to forgive myself.
I had an epiphany
I am a visual thinker. My mind more easily retains images than words. So with epiphany in hand I should explore art. The local community college was offering a “life drawing” class open to all levels. So in I plunged. I walked into an art class for the first time in my life armed with a legal pad and a #2 pencil, thinking there would be a lecture and a materials list to digest. I noticed a woman in a robe standing next to a small platform in the middle of the room. The dots were not connecting. The instructor tells us this is a free form class and we would spend the first 15 minutes capturing gesture poses. With that, I look up to find the woman, sans bathrobe, striking 15- second poses, with the class vigorously making marks. Kind souls loaned me charcoal, a large clipboard, newsprint paper and a saddle horse bench
And my journey into the art world began
I took that course 4 times over, even bringing my oldest daughter to one of the classes. That was an eye opener. I sought out instruction in portraiture and plein-air painting. Along with my son, I found a mentor offering weekly studio time where we could work on independent projects and get cogent advice and support from our fellow artists. My son has gone on to become an emerging artist in his own right. Some of my works from that period are included in the gallery.
Much like the elephant image on this site my progress was slow and plodding. When I retired and moved to Mexico I thought the creative juices would flow. Turned out that was tequila. One completed painting and three starts in 4 1/2 years. As I am often reminded, it is not a race.
Now we are settled in Boise, Idaho, living near our eldest daughter and her family.
It is also a time in life when I recognize all this doesn’t last forever.
A renewed commitment
I am blessed with both time and the space to paint and have found in person and online resources to advance my education. The purpose of this website is to be public about my journey and to share my progress.
If you insist: Giclee canvas prints and originals available. Contact me for details.
