Ready to Roll! 9 x 12 oil on masonite panelI am a Sunday Painter. I am not ashamed...I feel priviledged to have found something that I adore, love, can't live without. I relish my short times to paint....and am sad when I can't--due to whatever reason. Sometimes, though, I do enjoy imagining what my life would have been like if I could do art as a profession...like Rembrandt or Vermeer. What would it be like if I could study a flower for the whole day? How would my art be different if I could concentrate on it...doing countless sketches every single day??
A couple of weeks ago Ovation TV had day long specials on different artists. How Rembrandt went to autopsy's to study the human form. How many of them did he study to be able to make portraits so beautiful? How did Renoir feel when his parents were proud when their son decided to become an artist--not worried that this was "just a hobby"?
Do not get me wrong..I do not regret going to college and becoming an accountant. I was a single mother and raised two children by doing this job. I love the job that I currently have--the people I work for are wonderful and I get to live on a 4,000 acre ranch all year with countless inspiration and the time to endulge in my heart place....and that I have found is art. I don't know if I will ever be "any good" at painting...get into any real shows, hob nob with the "real" artists. etc. But all that doesn't even mean anything to me anymore. I love my process of dreaming and thinking of where I will be painting, organizing my tools, planning when I will be able to go, looking forward to the experience, getting out there and just painting...not thinking about anything else. No dishes, no laundry, no work...just painting...and what I am experiencing in nature. That is enough for me. I then begin again...dreaming of the next time...and it starts all over again.
5 comments:
Nancy, I'm so glad you visited me (thank you) because I saw your blog once before and then lost it. My DH had a cottage up near Crivitz and it is such a beautiful area.
I love your paintings and thoughts here. I am also a Sunday painter but I sketch in church :)! If I can help you with your book, please let me know.
What a wonderful read, I feel exactly the same about art...It's a personal passion, a longing...a need.
Enjoyed my visit here.
Hi Nancy. Good to see that you are back painting.
Email me. Lots going on since Green Bay.
Wow can I relate! I found you because you were kind enough to visit and leave a comment on the new blog of this part-time, college-educated, professional dad who is a full-time artist only in his dreams. I am so happy that I was able to visit your blog. Your work is so calm and peaceful. I putting a link to your blog on mine.
This is a good blog ...it made me feel connected to your thoughts and I hope you continue on this path.
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