The Magic - A Quote From Richard Schmid

I love this quote from Alla Prima 2..
THE MAGIC
YOU
 You are the sum of your choices. Your job then is to make sure that your ideas about what to paint are not wholly based upon either the acceptable or the taboo, but arise instead from what honestly fascinates and stirs you. You may feel vulnerable, but I see no way around that. I assure your it is OK to feel vulnerable. It is, after all, the human condition. In any case, your thoughts (and mine) are just as valid as those of anyone else. Even though you share countless similarities with others, you are unique. No one has your mind or your feelings. They do not always notice what you notice, and do not have precisely the same sensitivities or fears. No one has the same idea of God as you. No one longs to embrace life or ponders death and beyond as you do. No one is human in the same exact way as you are.
Once you understand this, your task is to get in touch with yourself. Find out what moves you, what you believe in, and what you truly understand about life. Taken together, such insights may lead you to know who you are, and what this great experience of living means to you. Then put that in your paintings.
Somewhere within all of us there is a wordless center, a part of us that hopes to be immortal in some way, a part that has remained unchanged since we were children. It is the source of our strength and compassion. That faint confluence of the tangible and the spiritual is where Art comes from. It has no known limits, and once you tap into it you will realize what truly rich choices you have. May each painting you do from that sacred place include an expression of gratitude for the extraordinary privilege of being as artist.

I just love the way Richard speaks from his heart about the way we artists feel and how we learn to express ourselves. I feel this way with my painting and it feels good to know that I'm not alone. I appreciate his honesty. I haven't ordered the new Alla Prima Book yet, but I will. I have his original Alla Prima Book, and I think it is probably the best art book I own that talks about painting. Not just the technique of painting but about being a painter. To order his new book go to: http://www.richardschmid.com/

San Francisco Study
Oil on Canvas
12 x 12"

I painted this little study this week in the new studio. I have to say that it feels good to be in there. I am able to loose track of time, so that's a good sign. I took this photo while in the City a couple of weeks ago. I'm working on some ideas for larger pieces for my gallery in Carmel, Gallery Amsterdam. I'm going to do some florals as well. I'm looking forward to spending some time there next April, after attending the Plein Air Convention. To learn more about that go to:  http://www.pleinairconvention.com/

Ready To Paint!

The studio is looking good. I have a couple more trips to make down
the hill in order to finish, but for now at least I am able to paint! Hmmm, where do I start?

Anne's Cups

Anne's cups one and two. These were the commission pieces I delivered yesterday. My friend Anne liked my little cropped cups from the 30 in 30 paintings I did last year. We talked about it and she told me she had a few sets of cups that were from her grandmother and also she collected some antique cups that she loved. So I brought them over and set them up on my table for about three weeks. When the light was especially beautiful, I snapped photographs. These are larger, sixteen by sixteen inches.
I just wanted to keep my word and post them for you!

Another Update and Some Commission Pieces

I've been working on two commission pieces for a lovely family who have been collecting my artwork for a number of years. This is the last of my painting to be done before the big move next Tuesday. In between painting, I've been going through my "art rooms" here at the house and deciding what is going with me and what is not.
I went out to the garage today and sanded down some old canvases that weren't going anywhere! Then I painted over them with white oil paint and turpentine. Now they are like new canvases ready to re-paint. I've had my Son, Joe here helping out and he sanded and painted all my student easels. He is doing the same with my stretching and framing table. All this is going to the new studio next week.
So life is exciting right? Right, well maybe not today. At least I'm getting to the fun part soon, the part about moving into the new studio. It is ready to go, just waiting on the track lighting is all. I will still have lots to do for the studio once I get in there, but I'll tackle that one day at a time as well.
So for now I have a couple of new photos for you, and I'll also post the new painting commission pieces for you when done, hope fully in a day or two!