Art & Subject Matter

The Art of the Choice: Why I Paint What I Paint

Choosing a subject is just the first of a thousand decisions that land on a canvas. While I drift between portraits, landscapes, and abstracts, each discipline offers a unique challenge that keeps me sharp. Here is a look behind my easel at why I choose the subjects I do.

The Human Connection: Portraits

Every Wednesday, a living, breathing costumed model sits before me. There is a specific magic in capturing a likeness—the puzzle of skin tones, the architecture of features, and the spark of an expression. It is a lifelong study in empathy and proportion, fueled by the camaraderie of my art group.

Chasing the Light: Landscapes

In 2016, I fell in love with the challenge of the Great Outdoors. I am a self-proclaimed "fair-weather painter," chasing the lush greens of summer, the gradient of a shifting sky, or the reflection of water in the parks in summer. Throughout the year, I gather photo references so I can keep the warmth of the landscape alive in my studio all through the snowy months.

The Freedom of Form: Abstract

Abstraction was my bridge out of a creative rut. I used to think it was just "slapping paint on a canvas," but I quickly learned it requires a disciplined mastery of color, value, and shape. Now, it is where I feel most "me." There are no models to pose or photos to reference—just my favorite palette, expressive marks, and the pure joy of starting with nothing but an instinct.

The Controlled World: Still Life

My journey began with the deliberate beauty of still life. I remember the hours spent arranging lemons against a copper pot and teal cloth, obsessing over the way light hits a curve. It is a slow, meditative genre. While my focus has shifted toward more fluid subjects recently, the foundational lessons of shadow and form I learned there stay with me in every stroke.

The Bottom Line

My week is a rhythmic dance between these worlds. I might spend Monday and Tuesday longing for Spring trying to paint a vase of winter flowers, Wednesday studying a face, and the rest of the week lost in the layers of an abstract.

Subject matter is the spark, but consistency is the flame. Regardless of the "what," the most important thing is simply to show up and paint.

 

Loving the Holidays, Missing the Studio

The holidays bring a special kind of joy. I love my family deeply, and I treasure the time we spend together. Because we don’t all live in the same state, these gatherings are rare and important opportunities to connect, host, and share traditions. Yet, alongside that love is a quiet longing for my creative space.

From Studio Habit to Holiday Hosting

Most weeks of the year, my life is centered around my studio. Painting has become a solitary habit and a necessary part of my daily rhythm. I am used to the steady flow of thinking, organizing, and making.

During the holidays, my time is redirected toward:

• Preparation: Cooking, baking, shopping, and wrapping gifts.
• Travel: Moving between homes and attending gatherings.
• Presence: Being fully available for social obligations and family time.

The Restlessness of an Artist

While these moments are precious, being away from my work for days at a time creates a sense of restlessness. There is a specific feeling that comes from missing my art—a mental pull back to my paints and my process. It can be overwhelming to balance the social requirements of the season with the desire to retreat into the quiet of my studio.

Looking Forward to the Return

I understand the need to accept this temporary pause, but my mind is already back at my easel. I have cherished the dinners and the time spent with those I love, but I am more than ready to return to my work. The studio is calling, and I cannot wait to get back to the practice that sustains me.