I haven't painted for the last few weeks as I have busy catching up on other things. I did however recently paint this small painting. It is from a photo snapped while driving (probably not very safe). I tried to capture the quiet peace of dusk. The sun and the wonderful colors fade quickly illuminating the landscape with all of its peculiar shapes. The edges are soft and blend together.

Recent Paintings

I've dove right back into painting again. The last three months I have been able to produce at least 11 works. New found inspiration, and a desire to turn out artwork has led me to interesting avenues within my art. I have begun to appreciate still life subject matter and have enjoyed painting from life, where an artist truly begins to sharpen their skill and see with their own eyes. Not that photography doesn't have a place in the making of good art. Just because an artist uses a camera as an aid does not mean they are not skilled or justified as a real painter. The final image is of concern. Does it carry artistic and creative value? Or is it boring, repetitive, and have the air of copying someone else's ingenuity? I hope my newest work has some of that newness and vitality. 

Creating art is hard to do lately.

Teaching art at the high school level is both fulfilling and a little exhausting. One of the more difficult aspects to teaching any subject to teenagers is dealing with the lack of motivation. That is my job, the job of motivating students to put forth there best effort, to create quality works of art. But many times that just does not happen. 

During the school year I find it difficult to be an artist myself and neglect my own creative drive because I am frankly tired. But I do like where technology and art meet. Here I am posting two manipulated photographs. One verges on the edge of
total abstraction the other seems to have a poetic quality to it. Anyhow if any readers would be so kind to comment and let me know what you think, I would appreciate it.