"Looking Back" (pastel, 7x5 inches)
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Looking back on the past two and a half years since deciding to try to paint daily, I can trace the ups and downs my life and my efforts to follow this artistic path. I can't imagine that most professional artists don't work their craft almost daily as a matter of course and as part of their ongoing job. It's the specificity of creating a continuous cache of finished works in order to post a new painting every day for all to see that defines the 'Daily Painter' as a particular breed apart.
From the beginning of this journey, I've cultivated an immense appreciation for the effort and sheer determination it takes to be a Daily Painter by that definition. I've also begun to comprehend much of what I've heard and read about the experience of daily painting, and have found parallels from other parts of my life.
I do believe that that undefinable quality called 'talent' has almost nothing to do with an individual's potential for success as a Daily Painter. It does, however, manifest itself as a direct result of the process of being a daily painter, or specifically, painting daily.
It really is an ongoing adventure with no final destination. More experience brings more questions, and more learning.
I'm really not the sort to look back much. I prefer looking forward - just to the next 10 minutes usually! In order not to become paralyzed by seemingly impossible goals, sometimes it's wise to wear blinders.
My favorite quote this month is one by Picasso: ”I am always doing things I can't do, that's how I get to do them.”
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