At the start of a new year I continue my agreement with Jimmy Buffett, “My resolution is to make no resolutions.” Oh, there are plenty of things I need/should change, and I have a few goals and objectives, but I find improvement comes in minuscule steps, both in life or in art. So if there is one small resolution it might be to offer other people grace, knowing that they are probably working on their life just as I am, and frustrated at the slow progress we all share.

As artists we are always changing, learning, and experimenting. However I am not sure the goal of “getting better” is helpful. To get better at something requires some kind of objective, or form of measurement, otherwise how do we know if we are improving? Since the definition of good art is pretty vague it is a vague target. Now I may see that in my last painting I got the perspective off, so I may have a goal to do a better job of that in the next one, that kind of improvement works.

This week I finished the painting of La Thebauderie, where we lived for most of our time in France.

Tricia wants me to do another of the village from a different angle, so may start that in the near future.

I set up my small pochade box to experiment with doing urban scene sketching quickly. I used walnut oil alkyd which speeds up the drying, so instead of a week to dry it was pretty well dry the next day. As far as improvement, I did learn a few things to work on with the next painting. This is from a photo in Paris.

Tricia’s iPad decided it was getting old, so we went to the Apple Store for a new one, with trade in it was a good choice, she has lots of blogs to write and photos to edit.

After I post this I am headed back to the Apple Store to do the same, my mini has served me well, but it is time to step up to new Apple Pencil, and larger screen. Now that I am doing oil painting I find I am sketching most on my iPad.

We are enjoying our new place, eating out a lot less which is a good thing, and already thinking about future trips – we just can’t get the vagabond out of our system. I think a drive up the Columbia Gorge would be a good start, what do you think?

I hope your year is starting off well, do keep in touch and keep on sketching.

Most all of my sketches and paintings are available as originals or prints, email inquires.