James Elkin's in his book What Painting Is writes that painters spend their entire lives exploring and working with - paint. “There must be a reason: the practice of painting cannot possibly be just an annoyance, or an efficient way to get images onto canvas.”  Elkins believes there is something about the substance of paint itself that is “so deeply attractive, that a life spent in the studio can be a bearable life.”  
For me it is far more than a bearable life. There is a strong sense of independence for sure. I have the pleasure, along with the difficulty, of making piantings. I have no boss, but also no weekly paycheck. But I do have the thrill that comes from making objects with paint.



Pond Poem 20" x 24" oil 2026