Blog Archives

Pearls from artists* # 720

“Gatecrasher” (in progress), soft pastel on sandpaper, 58” x 38”

*an ongoing series of quotations – mostly from artists, to artists – that offers wisdom, inspiration, and advice for the sometimes lonely road we are on

An artist without a vision is like an individual programmed just to live, breathe fresh air, eat, and then move on. It is that important vision that we see with our mind’s eye and believe in that society cannot live without. The artist with foresight is the one who is responsible for making it possible. Vision encourages us to pursue art and it gives us reasons to live a purposeful life. But without a conscious effort to maintain and focus our vision, some unimportant thing can sway us from our path and persuade the artist to become something else. And without technical skills to clarify what we think is purposeful and meaningful, the artist can be misunderstood.

Samuel Adoquei in Origin of Inspiration: Seven Short Essays for Creative People

Comments are welcome!

Q: What’s on the easel today?

“Gatecrasher,” signed on the lower right


A: I finally finished “Gatecrasher,” 58” x 38,” soft pastel on sandpaper. This pastel painting is number thirty-three in the “Bolivianos” series.

Comments are welcome!

Q: What’s on the easel today?

Work in progress

A: I continue working on “Gatecrasher,” soft pastel on sandpaper, 58” x 38.” In February I was privileged to visit this mask on exhibit at MUSEF La Paz in Bolivia. It was my second visit to the museum; the first was in 2017. Even more so this time, I was bowled over with how spectacular this particular mask is in person. Plus, I had forgotten its huge size. So I am absolutely determined to bump up my game and even more inspired to make this painting as strong and powerful as I possibly can!

Comments are welcome!

Q: What’s on the easel today?

A: I continue working on “Gatecrasher,” 58” x 38,” soft pastel on sandpaper.

Comments are welcome!