April 2022

It is with mixed emotions that I sit here in my studio knowing I’m getting ready to paint my final commissioned portrait. It’s been 40 years since I first painted a portrait for someone else. It was a very different way of working…to be “hired” to paint a likeness. And it quickly progressed into how I have made my living ever since. That pursuit has fulfilled its purpose. I’ve painted well over a thousand paintings and I definitely feel it. My heart tells me to give that a rest. So I’m ready for whatever is next.

To be clear, I’m still painting things other than portraits since there is much more yet to paint. Like portraits, painting other subjects has been challenging and thrilling as well as healing and exhausting. There are still plenty of images competing for my attention which I hope to paint. Thankfully much outside the studio is also competing for my attention, mostly family and friends. Relationships have always fulfilled my life and purpose. There are many in my community I still want to know deeper.

God has been so generous in these life pursuits and my heart tells me I’m nowhere near done.

So looking forward to this next season!!!