"The Familiar Shape of an Unknown Entrance"

Semi Abstract Beginning

Well, I struggled on whether to even list this piece for sale or show it. It is an important part of a series, but for me it's kind of blah. I've never understood how somebody can paint the same thing repeatedly.  Sure, I've painted thousands of obelisks and landscapes, but they've changed tremendously over time, and they're hardly ever done in the same style.

I guess I understand that if something sells for an artist there's that tendency to make more of it so as to do things like pay bills and eat. But, to paint the same thing in the same style over and over again escapes me.

I might do two or three paintings in the same style and get bored quickly.  In fact, that's how my style evolves. Once I'm bored with a style, its played out to me, and I get this feeling that it is no longer a challenge.

So, I leave it, I tell myself, what next, how would I change the style up completely?  I often think “what I can do to this painting that's going to piss off every art critic on the earth?” A lot of my paintings started off that way, and finished that way. I generally choose my colors based off of what kind of absurd reaction I am going to get from an academic artist or art critic.

I often think “what can I do to this painting that people tell me I can't do…. and make it work?” I Love a good challenge, and being an artist is quite the challenge.  Being a famous artist in history is probably one of the most challenging endeavors anyone could ever take on.

The odds are less than becoming a famous world leader, or actor, sports star, musician, writer, comedian, and even poet. There are not many other plights with lesser odds than trying to become a well-known oil painter.  So, ya, why not, that’s logical and practical right?  “I will be an artist” the younger me proclaims, with confidence somehow, and “I will die trying” the older me exclaims.

I truly believe in Van Goghs heart he knew that one day the world would know, he knew his work and its value. Everyone claims to know the artists AFTER their death, but few did during their lives. Anyway, God is Love, and this piece is part of that. The title speaks for itself, if you know me and my art.