work-laxing...

A few days ago a good friend asked me if painting was relaxing for me. I was pretty much stumped by the question. I mean, yes? but...no? It used to be, when I didn't know what I was doing and everything made me perfectly happy. The deeper I get into the truth of oil painting, the firmer I am with myself during the process. My cognitive brain cogs are whirling as I start a painting: get the composition right, accurate drawing please, why did I choose this scene in the first place?, start with the shadow family first....all the things I learn again and again from the studies and workshops. All the things that are helping me to turn out better and better paintings I hope. 

So I am off to another workshop tomorrow...3 days with Marc Hanson (and 20 or so other artist-students) in Franklin and south Nashville. I aim to post a couple of blogs about what he taught us, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, here's a couple photos I picked off the internet to give y'all an idea of what I'm in for! Rest assured, I will be working not relaxing...or maybe work-laxing.