Where have I been the last few years?

At the start of the Coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, at least the start for us in the Metro-Washington D.C. area, I began working from home full time. Nobody had any idea the impact on our lives this would be. As the weeks turned to months, I, like many artists, lost my creative mojo. I didn’t find any joy in putting paint on a surface, nor could I find any images or ideas that “drove” me to paint. This gap for lasted seven months - and even after that I only produced a few more works. Then in early 2022, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Since that time, I had my prostate removed in the summer of 2022 and as a result, my PSA levels did not go to zero. I had x-ray treatment combined with testosterone elimination treatment in the summer of 2023. Now in mid 2024, my PSA levels are zero, but with no testosterone, that is to be expected. I am impatiently waiting for my testosterone levels to slowly start coming back while hoping my PSA levels remain nondetectable.

Finally, I am getting an urge to paint. I am starting off slowly with a commissioned painting of a sunrise in Saint Simon’s Island, Georgia. Interestingly, it is a scene I have painted before and sold. I am curious how a few year’s worth of experience will impact the new painting. A pet portrait is also in the works and a few of the images that I took in Japan in the the summer of 2019 have recently struck my fancy.

I can’t say I missed painting all that much, but I admit, my outlook on painting may have shifted. While I was concentrating on building a diverse body of work, at times I think I was painting more for a perceived audience than to please my own needs. This production often lacked feeling for the subject.

I am excited to get back to an easel with a new outlook to please myself first. If others like what I do, that will be fine.