Gotta Paint From Life

  I've been working on some recent paintings that you can see on my blog as commissions and gifts.  These paintings have been a lot of fun and they're original compositions, but I'm using photo references for them.  So, I want to reaffirm my stance about painting from life: Anyone who knows me, knows I preach about painting from life.  There is absolutely no substitute for the color and light of the world around us.  But the main reason I paint from life is because it's about creating a non-derivative experience and memory.  
  It's much more effort to paint from life, which is why it's also a better pay off.  During the summer, I started painting en plein air with my friend Asem; the adventures that we've had and the fun of it has been great.  He and I just went two days ago and we plan to keep painting through the winter.
  As always, my goal isn't to make my paintings look like photos because I don't see any point to that.  My goal is to capture a moment of light, color and narrative on the canvas.  This is the heart of my work.
​  Now I have to go stretch some more canvases and I'm teaching my watercolor class tonight.  Have a great day.