. . . is to set an extremely vigorous schedule of making art so that I establish a much quicker pace and a much more robust discipline — my version of avoiding the common mistake “aim small, miss small”.

So to begin, I plan to paint one picture each week between now and the end of February. This should help me have some good new works for the Oshkosh show. If I completely succeed, GREAT! If I come anywhere close I will have built some inertia and that is not a bad thing either. The first week started slow but I finished the first painting on Sunday night. I might go back and tweak a couple rough bits but can call it done. Week two’s painting is roughed in and on track.  Happy New Year!

One of the paintings I was commissioned to do for Christmas was a portrait of a beloved pet who had passed. Painting any portrait is both a real joy and a challenge. More than merely capturing a likeness a good portrait should also capture the spirit of the subject. Perhaps it is that challenge that makes portraits of any subject such an enjoying endeavor for me.