The Eyes of Change
I am brought face to face with change, thanks to my grandson and two great grandsons. Every day brings changes in their abilities and new glimpses of their developing personalities. Their mommas and daddies sometimes say their babies are changing too fast. But change can’t be slowed.
We all know change is a fact of life.
That’s just one of the reasons I love to paint, especially in the early morning quiet of my studio. Painting can be slow. It takes focus, thought, and slows down time. It often, but not always, is meditative.
And painting is highly dependent on change: changing shadows in a plein air landscape, the speed of deterioration in a floral still life, multiple changes on a canvas as a painting takes shape, and of course changes in my skills and interests. I snapped a few images as I was working on a recent painting to show what I mean (there could be dozens more pics of various stages!).
Albert Einstein said, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” I probably don’t measure very high by that standard.
I just got a message on my cell phone that update 15.4.1 was successfully installed last tonight. I have no idea what that means. But I have to trust that it will be a good change — or throw my phone in the river!
Responding to change does take some measure of intelligence — and trust. I heard a story about a man hopelessly lost deep in the forest. He didn’t answer four calls from emergency crews because he didn’t recognize the number.
A friend was looking stressed. I asked him how he was doing. He looked at me and said, “Just tell me it gets better.” All I could tell him was, “it will change.” We had a good laugh.
What's your experience of 'change'? Let me know in the comments below and we'll chat about it.
UPCOMING EVENTS
I'll be participating in these exhibitions in the near future.
The Small Wonders Invitational
June-August 2022
Reception on Sunday, June 12 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Birger Sandzen Gallery, Lindsborg
Kansas Figure Drawing Group
Sunflower paintings to benefit Ukraine
Reception on Friday June 3 from 5-7pm
The Flower Nook, 208 E. Iron, Salina
SEE MY PAINTINGS
Below are a couple of recent paintings now available for purchase. Please look around on the site and let me know if you have comments or questions.
LEFT June Bride | 24" x 12" | Acrylic on canvas
RIGHT Variations on a Theme by Manet | 6" x 10" | Oil on canvas panel
GALLERIES
Drop by and see my work in person!
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Country Seasons Boutique
201 South 5th St.
Salina, Kansas -
Lauren Quinn Flower Boutique
129 South Santa Fe
Salina, Kansas
Posters, tote bags, phone cases, and more featuring my painting are available at FineArtAmerica.com.
RECENT COMMISSIONS
It's always gratifying to have happy recipients of my work. 
Blue Abstract | 40" x 20" | Acrylic on canvas
Sunrise Through the Treeline | 48" x 24" | Acrylic on canvas
That's all for now -- thanks for reading. I'll talk with you soon in a future letter. In the meantime, communicate with me in the comment section below.
