About Art and the Artist

I have been an artist for over 60 years. I have produced ‘Art’ off and on since I was very young; before I knew what an artist was or I had a purpose in doing what I did. I just did what I was moved to do. Then I went to school and moved from pencil (B&W) to crayons. In the summer between 4th and 5th grade I was introduced to pastels. After that there was a long drought. The country had need of engineers and my father wanted me to be career military. There was always the message about the importance of making money.

This little litany probably sounds familiar to many artists. The constant nagging need pitted against the drumbeat of capitalism. What a pity.

The advantage of having an income producing career is that one is free to follow ones vision without regard to the nagging need to answer the call: Does it sell? The truth lies in the answer to the question: Is it fun? And the answer to that question with regard to ‘Still Life in the Bar’ is a resounding, yes, I am having fun! It is fun from beginning to end. I have fun doing the sketches in the bar. And I have fun finishing the painting in the studio. Oh, and the answer to the question; “Is there still life in the bar?” is, of course, yes as well. And each bar has its own soul.

The more enduring answer to the question about making a living as an artist is that one ought to always be engaged in an endeavor that is greatly satisfying regardless of how much money one earns (in my humble opinion). If one loves the doing of the art, one will always be successful, for one will be fulfilling ones soul. That, in my opinion, is (and was) the only real reason for picking up the pen or pencil in the first place.