Do you paint?

Painters look at the world around them in a different way. It is both something innate and learned. I look at the world around me and see many different colors in the sky, the trees, the grass. I see greens in old fence rails and blue in gray horses. I see shapes between the branches in the trees, shapes in and around buildings, the shape and color of light as it falls on the floor or comes through the curtains. I feel and see the many ways that light changes from sunrise to sunset.

Both oils and acrylics have such amazing properties that allow me to portray the effects of light and shadow on everything from butterflies to roosters-especially birds, hens, geese, chickens-anything with feathers. If you have never painted but you love being outside-painting allows you to combine both loves. Painting allows you to learn something every time you participate in the experience, because each time the light, the wind, the weather change your subject appears different and new.

Here's what I hear all the time...
"Oh, I wish I knew how to paint, but I don't have any natural talent."

"My art teacher in Grade 5 told me I wasn't very good."

"My sister has all the talent. I wish I was as talented as she is."

"I wish I could paint what's in my heart."

If you don't allow these negative thoughts to guide you it might be a real surprise to find out that you too have talent. To me, painting is not about the destination-the completed project, it is about the journey, the joy, the experience. I never worry about producing museum quality masterpieces, and it's a good thing I don't, or I would never pick up another brush. This is about participating in activities that bring out your creative spirit, and we all have one, trust me. All you need is to WANT to paint or draw from your heart.