Play to keep playing rather than to win
Reflecting at the beginning of a new year, the first that begins with me able, both materially and otherwise, to focus wholly on a full time studio practice, I am gobsmacked and grateful. Looking back at this past July, when I navigated the transition from my decades in federal contracting and IT consulting services to doing this, it feels like I successfully faked my own death. In a good way.
If my dream had been something along the faster, higher, stronger lines, I might be spending more time looking backward than forward at this point. But painting isn’t like that, or it doesn’t have to be. Many of the artists I most respect did their best work on the back half, along the down slope. I am likewise doing my best work now, and am on the edge of my seat, waiting with bated breath to see where this practice will take me next. It is a great way to feel. I highly recommend it.