Repetition and balance are important in the artists’ toolboxes. I have learned this over the years. I always wondered why artists through history continued to paint scenes again and again through their career. Now I understand it. It is a matter of interest and the desire to do it better or to better understand a subject with repeated attempts. I often paint a scene that intrigues me many times. I never get it right, but the desire to continues.

 However, there is a danger to painting one subject only for a career life. I know painters who do this and their work becomes stale and terribly predictable after some years. My favorite subjects are upland, rural ranches and farms. I can paint them endlessly and happily, but I change to rivers, wetlands, springs, florals, birds, etc. for periods, to give myself new challenges. 

 When I go back to my fields and beloved trees, I have a fresh, new interest for them. Perhaps I have learned new brush, knife work by changing to a different subject for a time. I notice more about color palettes, composing, values. It peaks my interest further to attempt mastering my favorite subjects.

 
This country painter has a lot of fun…

A few months ago, I decided to open a Substack account. At the time, I thought it was a great way to monetize my Art and Stories. I never figured out how to put a donation tag on the account but I enjoy sharing anyway. 

At the time, someone told me about a donation account called Buy me a Coffee. I joined that and put the link on the bottom of my home page on my website.  I have no expectation, but I think it is a nice idea. People who don’t need or can’t afford original art, can still support favorite artists for five or ten bucks.

This week a friend in California bought me a 10.00 cup of coffee with the link. I was surprised and so delighted by this generous gift! How thoughtful! I occasionally assist artists, and buy art for my daughters. So many of us live marginal lives. It is a wonderful treat! 

This country painter thanks all who care for artists…

I’m starting to get excited about the months to come. With cooler weather I can go for a residency at Fair Oaks farm. I miss it so much in the hot months. 

I’ve been painting there for close to 25 years. I explore every inch of it and have recorded my adventures there in hundreds of paintings and stories. A lot changes in that length of time. Trees come down and new ones are planted. Fields are restored to their natural flora. The back basin becomes a pond in wet years and a prairie in dry years. The ancient live oak limbs gradually droop with girth and age, carrying their moss skirts which drape like the fine ball gowns of ages past. As I pass, they whisper encouragement to me. Their shade is welcomed by birds and small animals. 

I remember the college boys who learn lessons in cooking, hard work and graces, taught over the years by the steward of Fair Oaks, graduating to fine careers and futures. A new crop every four years. 

Now we have the wonderful Fair Oaks Foundation with educational opportunities for all who come to our events and Soirées. The steward of the farm provides the location and we are all grateful. I planted my roots there years ago and I continue to thrive in the good soil.

There is no place like it for this country painter……