Two Years Today

Wow I almost forgot that today marks the Second Anniversary of this blog. When I started this it was mostly as a personal journal and an accompaniment to my website. Then for a while I joined up with a Daily Painters website, made some sales and put more interest into it as a marketing tool. Now it seems I've come full circle. Getting caught up with doing small ( almost) daily paintings changed my work. I realized I wanted ( and needed ) to learn much more about painting with oils. For a time I thought I could simply think my way into good painting, now I understand it's about taking action. I beleive the practice I began eighteen months ago with daily painting is finally beginning to pay off. It's given me the confidence to begin exploring new venues (such as the plein air landscapes). Also I must mention my involvement with fine artists at Wet Canvas. The free adviceI get there is a wonderful tool for learning and growth as an artist. Who could guess that the internet could be such a resource?
I work a steady 20 hour week at the day job now, so I feel a bit more relaxed in taking time to explore new techniques. A lot of these changes have to do with the physical problems I've had with my back ...even the change from indoor still life to outdoor painting. Pain brought me to a place where I began painting in earnest and for that I'm grateful. Now that I've achieved some balance I think ( and hope ) my painting will continue to grow..and my spirit along with it.