NATURE'S ARRANGMENT

     Early in my painting career I made a decision that i didn't ever want to get stuck painting the same thing over and over, like an assembly line. Years later I began my plein air work with mostly a foreground, middle ground, and something in the distance (preferably purple mountains). They sold very well. After awhile I felt like I was going "to work" every time I would go out to paint. I suddenly realized that I had fallen into the trap. I made a choice that day to switch my operating basis and just find something that moved me and had nothing to do with sales or who might like it. I painted a big black airplane that day. It felt wonderful, I really felt the joy of painting again. It is tough for artist trying to make a living and at the same time keep their work fresh and innovative.
     I would have never imagined that I would be sitting outdoors in the land of Colorado mountains lookin down at the ground two foot in front of me, painting a few little dandelions. It was a challenge to paint something new and not "set up" in a studio with controlled lighting, etc.; But it was exciting and I loved it.