Oh what a beautiful morning, here in rural north Florida! It is what I’ve been dreaming of for long hot months. Mr. sun was drifting down the lane toward the west as he rose.  The air cool, dew on the grass, and the tiny spider webs visible in the grasses.

I’ve noticed that our wild creatures are coming out of the woods this week. Yesterday a young flock of wild turkeys toured my fields. They have no fear of becoming Thanksgiving dinner. All creatures are safe on my land. The deer like to graze in the back yard. They have a favorite spot on the trail, with nice shade for their afternoon nap. I can watch them from the east window of the house. My birdies are about grown now, no longer the awkward unkempt teens they were last spring. 

I feel so grateful for the privilege I have in living this time of life in the woods. Soon I’ll be back on the trails. My land manager will mow them just before the Hot Dog party, so guests can stroll along the paths and enjoy the experience. I look forward to these next months of exploring the natural world.

Country painters are so lucky…..

If you are seeking fame and fortune as a painter, you may be in the wrong business. There are MANY more artists than available collectors. Art is one of the few professions that allow members to declare they are artists with no degree or certification. Retirees by the thousands decide they want to be artists. There is nothing wrong with this. The problem comes from unrealistic expectations.

Many of us have degrees in art from universities. We are told in art school that it is the work that is important, not whether we sell it. Of course they say that. They are tenured in the system, not required to sell art to make a living. I spent quite a few years focusing on winning prizes, chasing the idea of fame after art school. It was a distraction only. I should have saved that money for learning to market my art and how to run a business. The ribbons meant nothing. 

The reality is that making a living as an artist is not about winning prizes or fame for most of us. There are few who achieve fame. I decided a number of years ago that fame was not what I wanted. What I truly wanted was to make a living painting. It took me a long time, years in fact. I finally made it when my kids were in high school. It took me 40 years! 

This country painter is so lucky now, thanks to so many of you….