For those of you visiting my online booth, so to speak, I should explain that I didn’t just get out of school, and begin to work as an artist. No, although it is true that I briefly attended art school, long enough to realize that it’s extremely difficult to earn a living as an artist. No, after leaving school I worked at several jobs before becoming a licenced independant Insurance adjuster, something that I worked at for many years before deciding to return to art school and work at becoming an artist. Most of my friends believed that I was crazy, leaving a job for which I was well paid to become a “starving artist”. I assured them that if it didn’t work out that I’d go back to work, but of course I didn’t.
Years have passed since that first exhibition, and during that time I’ve worked my butt off learning about the business (politics) of art, new techniques, and becoming a writer and publisher. It’s all been very interesting. Given the chance, however, would I do it over again? Hell no! Becoming an artist is a life long, never attainable, ambition. There’s far too much suffering, and little thanks for your efforts. Still, I find that in my old age I’m still driven to try to become an artist, hopeful that after I’ve faded away that something that I’ve done will survive, at least for a few minutes, long enough to bring some moments of pleasure to the viewer.
Here’s a couple of field pencil sketches done by the old guy continuing to try to become an artist:-
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We were up in Algonquin for a few days hoping to get in a couple of days sketching before the snow. Well, we beat the snow, but it was cold, and windy, and it rained almost every day of our stay. Needless to say that it was a bit of a bust. Still, it was worth experiencing Algonquin's many moods. Memories to be enjoyed, and perhaps, expanded upon back in the studio. |
