Cane Patch

Today I finished my latest painting, part of a series of still lifes I'm working on. I'm using antique items, with lots of light (I'm trying to channel Vermeer - ha, good luck!) Here is the finished piece, called "Cane Patch".

NC Inspiration

Thinking back over last year, one of my "golly gee" best moments was visiting the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, and Artspace, a neat gallery/studio also in Raleigh. The entire art collection at the museum was impressive, but Monet stole my heart. As I have said previously, it is hard to explain all the thoughts that swirl when I view his work; I think of his incredible color sense and wonder if I will be able to even come close; I think of his mastery of composition; and less technically the ability to put himself in his work. His work, all of it, makes me keenly aware of my inadequacies as an artist, what a long journey of learning and exploration I have. But oh how exciting the journey will be! I'm sure it will be fraught with pain and much frustration. Monet said it best, "What a curse these damned paintings are!"
During this new year I hope to spend some time re-acquainting myself with some of the great artists on whose shoulders I attempt to stand; Renoir, Michelangelo, Matisse, Leonardo, Van Gogh, Cassatt, Hopper, to name a very few. Also to learn from my contemporaries, as well as impart what I know to enable a fellow artist to succeed.
The best any of us can do is sometimes the hardest, to keep creating no matter what the little voices in our heads say. It doesn't matter what style it's created in, if you put yourself in it, someone on the planet will appreciate it.