Diamonds in Our Own Backyards

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

Winter Thaw Oil John Hulsey

We used to think that winter was a season of comparative rest, with an easier pace to our workdays since there is no work to be done in the yard. But as we’ve gotten older, the pace of work in the winter has increased exponentially, in part because we travel so much at other times of the year, in part because we have taken on many more commitments than ever before. All of this eats into one’s precious painting time. Perhaps some of you have noticed the same thing happening in your lives?

Which brings us to the subject of carving out time for painting. On these very full days I find it difficult to get interested in driving around looking for a good painting spot. Time spent scouting is time I could be painting at my easel! My solution is to look directly around me for a subject which I might be able to make into a decent painting. It helps to have had some experience painting outdoors, just as it helps to have a go…