The universe does not consist of physical “things.” Every “thing” is made of atoms and molecules and electrons flying and spinning and throbbing and colliding … and it is the INTERACTIONS between these atoms and molecules and electrons (the touching, colliding, intermingling)  that produce the illusions of the “things” that appear to be solid and “physical.” That is how things “work.” That is how things become “created.” Some “thing” collides with and joins with some other “thing” and the collision produces a different “thing.” Keep this simple: when the atoms and molecules of your hand wave against the atoms and molecules of the air, they all collide with each other and produce a breeze. Think about that? Do you wish to “create” something new in or for your own life? If so, then you need to ask yourself, “What parts (things) of my life do I need to collide with and intermingle with other “things” in order to produce a new “thing” for my own life?” Teach yourself to THINK differently than how you have been taught to think.

From my very first painting up until this very day I have always enjoyed becoming a part of the entire process of painting. Even back in the 60’s I seldom bought pre-stretched canvases to paint upon. I always enjoyed buying raw canvas, gessoing the canvas to my approval, and then stretching it on wooden slats that I had sawed and nailed together myself. After the gesso had dried and the canvas was stretched I then jumped in for all I was worth and painted many hours into the night and the early morning. By the time my painting session was over I was covered head to foot in oil paint, gesso, and a number of sticky drying mediums that were very difficult to remove so I just went to bed covered as I was … a living work of art … and a sight to behold the next day when I awoke. But I had paintings … beautiful paintings. I had paintings! Nothing else mattered.

Painting is my time machine. I can go anywhere in the world … any time in history. To be with Anyone. To a simple flower meadow, a forest in autumn or standing on a rocky Irish cliff overlooking a stormy sea in the light of a full Moon. From the sacred to the profane – I can be anything. I can live any life. I can dream any dream. With just a brush, a piece of canvas and some color. With only my thoughts … my inspiration … my Romance …

The temperature here in MO for the past several days—right around the 100 degree mark. Many people are complaining about the heat and the humidity. I just remind them that only 5 months ago it was 10 degrees and there was sleet on the ground. I LOVE the heat and I love Summer. Every season brings it’s own  unique light, but I especially love the light that comes with Summer. The Impressionists could paint Missouri in the Summer if they were still around. I wish they were still around. I’ve tried to paint that kind of LIGHT many times and I have come pretty close, but never close enough to please me.