To Paint or Not to Paint

I found this drawing yesterday while cleaning out a closet. Did you know I could draw? Sometimes I have to remind myself. You may have assumed, because I use photos in my work, that I don't draw. Well you are right in a way. I can draw, but I don't draw because it just takes me too much time. I want/need a more instant result and gratification. I know if I practiced daily that I would become faster, more sure of myself, develop a style

When I took all of my painting and drawing classes I was obsessed with realism and a classical style. My hero was Ken Marlow, a master of realism that I discovered at Hollis Taggart, a local DC gallery (now in NYC). He has the ability to suffuse a still life with such light, beauty, emotion and well, magic, that it still takes my breath away, makes me swoon. I once wrote to him asking what colors of paint he used, thinking that if I had the same ones, I too had a chance of someday painting such beauty. He was kind enough to answer, a handwritten letter I still keep for inspiration (before email).

I am pretty proud of the still life with lemons & pomegranates I did so many years ago, proud enough to hang it in my living room. I gave up oil painting after Kelly was born. It took time and I didn't have any. I miss it. There is nothing like the smell of linseed oil to stimulate my desire. Once you've painted with oils, acrylics truly seem like the plastic that they are. I know the myriad of reasons for using them and of course it would make more sense, but oil is just so darn sensual.


Fabric? Paint? Realism? Abstract? These are the questions I ponder. Do both? Combine them? Focus, Lesley, focus.


And now a word from our sponsor, Riley Crawford. 4 months old this week. Her hair is not really that red, but she really is that cute.