-Tools in the Painter's Toolbox-

How can building a house teach a painter a valuable lesson?

         As I was walking outside, I saw a house under construction and overheard a conversation that made me think.  One builder was asking the other which tool to use and the other builder replied with  "Use which ever tool will fit that window."  They were talking about taking out a pane of glass, but it made me realize that that is the right attitude for painting.
         As painter's, we are all employing the same tools.  Brushes, Pigment, and Oil is the bare-bones recipe for a painting.  Add many hours of practice (Which I am still working on) and you've got the makings of a work of art.  But why do so many painter's put limits on themselves?  It is very enticing to only use a specific palette because Sargent used that palette or Norman Rockwell used that painting medium.  But they only used it because it served their purpose.  I believe that a well-rounded artist can say "This is what I need now," just like the builder of that house.  So maybe studying the tools of the trade and having many hours with the brush in the hand is all that is needed?  But you also have to smart about how you use your tools.
          
Be creative with your tools and Cast off the limits that you put on yourself.