Huntress, Oil, 36 x 24 in. SOLD

Huntress and Hunter are the first two paintings in a new series. Snowy is the third.

Hunter, Oil, 36 x 24 in. SOLD

Painting birds larger than life-size would have been a foolish notion in my early bird painting days. A threshold I would not have crossed. Back then, I was interested in anatomical and biological habitat accuracy. Placing birds in their natural environment during the correct season of the year.

In time, my perspective expanded to express universal ideas instead of individual portraits of a species or particular place. Light became the dominant motif. Light falling on birds.

An authentic artist will paint what he or she lives and loves. What you think and read about influences your artistic evolution. Stop doom scrolling. Read a good book, watch an inspiring film, visit museums and art galleries, notice a flower unfolding. If you want to paint beauty, you must fill your mind with beautiful things.

“whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

With age comes clarity and freedom, and we see life from a broader realm of knowledge and experience. Gratitude replaces the things we once took for granted. And if we are blessed with a long life, we will cross many thresholds.

The late poet, John O’Donohue, writes in his book, To Bless the Space Between Us:

“At any time you can ask yourself: at which threshold am I now standing? At this time in my life, what am I leaving? Where am I about to enter?… A threshold is not simply a boundary, but it is a frontier that cannot be crossed without the heart being passionately engaged and woken up…”

Wisdom is discerning when we are at the vital thresholds of our lives. An invitation to a promise. Do we bravely pass through and say yes to trust and faith?