Thank you so much for your submission...

The following paintings will NOT be part of an upcoming local juried art exhibition. I guess they were not amused or confounded :-)

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The subjectivity inherent in art is part of its beauty, and an acknowledgement of our humanity. My high school art teacher, Jane Wingard - God rest her soul, told us a story about one of her paintings. While showing us the painting she mentioned that it was rejected, won honorable mention, and took first in three different shows. Who knows, maybe one of these will have a similar fate.

I struggle with creating art for the approval of others, or for my own emotional experience--be it joy or agony. A musician friend of mine shared his song writing and performing experience. He talked about creating his art, and just putting it out there.

So I'll continue to 'put it out there'. Sometimes it feels like exhaling. A cleansing exhale Other times it feels ... different. And different is good. Different is the cousin of variety. And variety is a core principle of mine.

I'll close with a picture of a new surface I'm experimenting with. It's made of shredded paper. The paper is from my late father's medical papers when he was being treated for cancer. Cancer that would take his life. When I recently found the paperwork, I thought it strange that part of his existence was represented by insurance EOBs. I haven't figured out what I'm going to paint on it. More to be revealed.

Until next time.