It’s so easy to pick a famous artist to name as my inspiration, and yes, they made a lot of beautiful paintings! Those great masters were seen by the right people at the right time, and then it was easy for others to agree. They’re pretty much out of reach by people like me.

For my inspiration, I’ll choose my grandfather, who would stop the car in order to sketch the power lines with crayon. My grandfather, who did rubbings of medallions set into the floor of a crowded piazza. My grandfather, who taught art classes on the coast of Maine.

He was neither intimidated nor intimidating. I don’t know that he ever showed his work in an art gallery. I think he drew and painted because he loved to do it. I don’t believe there is any better reason.

The emotions that cause us to create are bound to come through in what we create. We don’t have to manufacture emotions in our art, though we tend to get better at expressing them as we find our own voice and visual vocabulary. This is how our style changes as we mature. It’s not always about adding a new trick. As we gain confidence, we can let go of the tricks, and respect our viewers to see for themselves. Art is not a one sided conversation.

You don’t need anyone to tell you what to see or what to feel.

Don’t follow in anyone else’s footsteps. You have footsteps of your own.