What Do You Mean?

6″x4 6/8″ watercolor on 140lb. Arches handmade watercolor paper

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“I would like to recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth when all the world is new to it.”  -Henri Matisse, 1869-1954

I’m really enjoying this series of watercolors. They are a release from the tyranny of realism. No, I have nothing against realism, I consider myself a realist. Really. When I paint in the realist manner, it’s a constant struggle with myself not to be photo-realistic. My tendency is to paint very tight and structured. Then, there’s that other side of my creative self that wants to paint abstract and free, utilizing color, design, structure and imagination rather than relying on the real world for my inspiration. In my mature work life this has been my toughest inner struggle. I love both genres, yet the art world virtually insist that you find a “style” and stick with it. You can only do one thing! How silly. It has come to me in my middle years that I simply can’t. I have learned to trust in my creative urges and let them take me where they want to. Of course, when I am doing a freelance or commissioned piece, I have to work within that structure, and I can. So, I will continue to follow my “inner voice” and trust that it will take me where I need to go. I hope you will follow along. I assure you it will be an interesting journey, regardless of your personal tastes. Suddenly, I feel the need to work on one of my railroad pieces. Really.  Enjoy!