The artistic journey for me is characterized by deep passion for self-expression and desire to push boundaries where new ideas and inspiration resides. The world is a playground for translating experience into artistic language expressed through creative mediums like painting, sculpting, writing, dancing, and performing. The life of an artist can resemble a rollercoaster ride. Perseverance and persistence are essential. Life as an artist is not for everyone. Arm chair critics are everywhere eager to pounce with opinions. Rejection and criticism form a crucible for character and determination for those possessing the drive to become an artist. The road to success is difficult to measure. Financial uncertainty gives rise to self-doubt. A nagging revulsion stems from creating works for financial reward at the expense of creative freedom. I find personal expression far less burdensome than painting for a commission. Expectations frequently hinder the creative process.
My formative years were devoted to continual sketching and drawing. I was offered a scholarship for art upon graduation from high school but entered the military during the Vietnam conflict. Soon thereafter my thoughts were preoccupied with providing for my family. Securing work in fields unrelated to art and can invite difficulties for artistic personalities. Imagine the frustrations when seeing your ideas ridiculed and rejected when perceived as inconsistent with the status quo. I find partial expression through stints in interior design, factory design, point of purchase displays, trade show exhibits, illustrating and even cartooning. Nevertheless, my job description was never in art and my passion for artistic freedom was continually denied.
I can personally attest to the dynamic and fulfilling journey of art as well as the unique challenges and frustrations. My style of painting is a race between capturing inspiration and inevitable habituation from spending too much time on the same canvas. I frequently paint over earlier works and the challenge for me is deviating from the original painting. The mind remembers the original object and will unconsciously seek to repeat the original painting for cognitive consistency. This tendency is well documented in theories of cognitive dissonance. The mind locks in on an image and resists efforts to change it. Although I have explored art in several genres, I favor abstracts because they offer unique journeys of self-discovery. Landscapes and portraits duplicate objects, a process I find tedious and boring. Although everyone can certainly identify with the painting of a tree, abstracts continually evoke novel images from unique experiences inherent to each invididual.
In looking back I now realize the continual frustration, challenges and criticisms associated with working outside of my niche led me to the study of psychology. I readily delved into the various disciplines in psychology and eventually earned a doctorate in the area of cognitive dissonance. I was fascinated by the principles of Gestalt Psychology with emphasis on perceptions. Manipulating images, shapes and colors artists provides a platform for evoking powerful emotions in others. I am profoundly grateful I can now devote countless hours in my art. My studio windows face a forest and feels like an aerie perched high atop a tree providing unimpeded vistas and fodder for my imagination to soar.
Ultimately, life as an artist is an ongoing journey of self-discovery, self-evaluation and evolution. Like Robert Frost’s “Road Not Taken,” the path for an artist requires a deep commitment to perseverance, willingness to take risks, and the ability to embrace both the successes and the challenges along the way. Despite the inherent difficulties, the artistic life proved a worthy goal and provides me with immense joy and fulfillment. I paint almost every day. My humble wish is for my art to make a lasting impact on others long after I have moved beyond this mortal realm.