Notes on painting...

Here are a few things about painting that I want to remember from Italian painter, Jerry Fresia's book:

#1: IT IS NOT ABOUT THE TALENT - It's about pointing to a God given gift that we all possess, the gift of being able to celebrate perception by tasting with our eyes.

#2: THE MEASURE IS THE FEELING - We ought not to fear painting badly because the results are not the measure. Our fear ought to be not getting a thrill from what we see. If we get the thrill, the results will follow.

#3: IT IS ABOUT BECOMING MORE OF WHO YOU ALREADY ARE - A deep pleasurable fulfillment comes from the very exercising of our ability to create. In fact, it may be our most crucial fulfillment. We know each other by the brushstrokes we make and our feelings that they express, "I am the brushstrokes that I make."

#4: THE PAINTING IS THE BY-PRODUCT - Each painting we paint is a springboard from which we grow. They are little chunks of expression that happen on the way to finding ourselves.

#5: DO NOT PAINT LIKE AN IMPRESSIONIST - Be an expressionist, dedicate yourself to the person you are most and find the freedom to be who you are.