“I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true - hard work pays off.
If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.
If you don’t love something, then don’t do it.”
- Ray Bradbury
"Inspired Radiance" 30" x 30" work on canvas
I love what I do. I paint on a regular basis. I practice, practice, practice and some days it really does pay off. I continually challenge my own sensibilities with new colors, patterns, lines, etc. I paint not because I want to be good - it is more that I want to be capable. Capable of creating work that is exciting, refreshing and interesting to an enthusiastic audience of at least one ( …or one at a time). Okay, maybe that is the definition of good, but capable sits better with me.
I received a commission for a large piece that is going to go into a new restaurant opening in the fall. The client really liked one of my paintings but it was not big enough for their space - could I make it bigger? Now, I know that many of you might be offended by this request, but I actually love this kind of thing. It is a challenge to “recreate” on a different scale, different composition, a piece that is equally as exciting as the original the client has fallen in love with. Of course, an original painting is always unique in it’s own right - it has to be. I have to make the work feel the same and yet uniquely stand on it’s own. The same but different. There is something about painting a piece again that takes the work to another level for me. I can hear somewhere in the recesses of my mind the words “now you have painted it well, so paint it again.” I wish I could share with you where those words are coming from but it is lost to me. Perhaps all that practice, practice, practice really does pay off. Yes, I have heard it a thousand times before, and when a project like this presents itself and I am capable of rising to the challenge, I am grateful for all that perseverance and practice.
“For any artist to persevere, they must have an enthusiastic audience of at least one.”
-Stuart Davis
Work is available.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats on the commission Deborah! Hooray to you for being up to the challenge and always striving to make your work your best! It really does show–such wonderful work! Wishing you much inspiration with your new painting ;D
Deb
I’ve just found your blog and am delighted by your paintings. They look effortless, like everything just fell into place. I know that is not the case at all. the blocks of color light up and bring my eyes into your painting, only to discover the details popping. Wonderful!
jackie
congrats again on the commission - very exciting! how large is the commission piece? have fun!
“For any artist to persevere, they must have an enthusiastic audience of at least one.”
-Stuart Davis
I so agree with this quote. I think this sentiment is the exact reason I have survived as long as I have. Yet even though I know its truth, I must say the “one” gets old and lonely sometimes. That is the most difficult part. It is not really about knowing you are doing the right thing. It is about knowing you are doing the right thing for as long as it takes for others to see your point of view. Sometimes that can be very challenging. In fact, I think that might be the biggest challenge.