16X20 Oil on board, Spring Runoff, Cheticamp River, a breakthrough Piece?It’s a given perhaps, that anyone working towards something or at least on some sort of ‘improvement pathway’ reaches little plateau’s of achievement that defines their progress. Athletes or artists, these are pivotal moments where getting something right in a long progression of constant improvement helps us to see not only how far we have come but also where we go next.
As a painter these moments are seldom nowadays, but perhaps once a year I produce a painting where I can clearly see that the hard work is paying off. The show at Argyle Fine Art in June of 2010 caused me to reflect on this after hearing from viewers of the show how much I had developed my style in a short time.
There was one painting in this show, “Spring Runoff, Cheticamp River” a 16x20 oil on board that reaches a little higher. Looking at it on the gallery wall I could see that this piece defined a big leap in my development as an artist. This was the point where subconsciously I had become confident enough to ‘let go’, to paint without fear.
I think this is an important point in the development of an artist or athlete. I have coached soccer for going on 8 years now and one of the biggest challenges I face as a coach is to get my players to play with confidence and without fear. It is easier said than done as many of us judge our standards by how we are seen by others. There is a point though with constant good ‘coaching’ whether art or soccer, where the artist or player is allowed the freedom to express themselves without fear, only then can you achieve the growth that will enable you to move to the next level.
There are no shortcuts to achieving the inner potential of someone striving for this. I think it just comes down to one main thing really and that is work. But working properly, facing the challenges that are presented to you and pushing through them with a deep sense of purpose one by one.
“Spring Runoff, Cheticamp River” was painted in a mindset where fear was not present. I remember it well, I felt a need to express this place as I experienced it, the rushing water the overpowering sense of force as it flooded through the gaps in the rocks. This need to express and create had finally overcome the barrier of fear and the paint went on in great thick swaths. So is this to say that I am still learning, yes! Absolutely and I hope to be until they bury me!
As a painter these moments are seldom nowadays, but perhaps once a year I produce a painting where I can clearly see that the hard work is paying off. The show at Argyle Fine Art in June of 2010 caused me to reflect on this after hearing from viewers of the show how much I had developed my style in a short time.
There was one painting in this show, “Spring Runoff, Cheticamp River” a 16x20 oil on board that reaches a little higher. Looking at it on the gallery wall I could see that this piece defined a big leap in my development as an artist. This was the point where subconsciously I had become confident enough to ‘let go’, to paint without fear.
I think this is an important point in the development of an artist or athlete. I have coached soccer for going on 8 years now and one of the biggest challenges I face as a coach is to get my players to play with confidence and without fear. It is easier said than done as many of us judge our standards by how we are seen by others. There is a point though with constant good ‘coaching’ whether art or soccer, where the artist or player is allowed the freedom to express themselves without fear, only then can you achieve the growth that will enable you to move to the next level.
There are no shortcuts to achieving the inner potential of someone striving for this. I think it just comes down to one main thing really and that is work. But working properly, facing the challenges that are presented to you and pushing through them with a deep sense of purpose one by one.
“Spring Runoff, Cheticamp River” was painted in a mindset where fear was not present. I remember it well, I felt a need to express this place as I experienced it, the rushing water the overpowering sense of force as it flooded through the gaps in the rocks. This need to express and create had finally overcome the barrier of fear and the paint went on in great thick swaths. So is this to say that I am still learning, yes! Absolutely and I hope to be until they bury me!
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