Back in April, I created a watercolor for my wife, Patrice.

My wife's office has no windows, and after being inside there for as many hours as she is, she asked if I would paint her a window. So, trying to be a good husband, I created a window for her called Mountain Lake. She was pretty pleased with it and took it to work and hung it on the wall. I received a kiss and a hug, and all was right in the world. Until...

My wife works in the medical field and shares her office with two coworkers. They liked the watercolor that I created but wondered why I didn't make it a beach scene and why wasn't it bigger. So Patrice came home with a request (actually from her coworkers), "Can you do another picture pleeeeeeaaaase?" So what could I say but "Sure, what size would you like it?"

So I did a few thumbnail sketches and sent them to work with Patrice. They looked at them, chose the one they all liked, then made some suggestions. I then created a second proof. Again, they liked it, then made some suggestions. So now I have completed the final painting, which I am calling "Take Me Away." The title seems fitting. With as hard as these ladies work and all the hoops they have to jump through with  COVID-19 protocols (and the COVID patients that still come into the office), they need a vacation.

Take me away is a mixed medium piece. I started with a pencil drawing on a watercolor panel. Then I did washes of oil paints, splatters of oil paints, and finally added colored pencils to the mix.

I hope they like it.

Every once in a while, you get to do a job that pays you nothing yet gives you everything. Let me tell you about one of those times.

You see, every year, my wife puts together a family calendar. We hunt around and find as many images as we can find of everyone from the past year. It's a neat idea, and we get to relive the past year as we remember those who were around us. Since there are twelve of us, we all get our birth month with pics of us. Some folks share a month, but they don't mind all that much. For this year's calendar, my wife had a brilliant idea.

Patrice: "Hey Rick, I was thinking." Usually, I start running at the sound, or I try to look as busy as possible. I didn't make it this time.

Artguy: "What's that?"

Patrice "I thought it would be nice if you drew portraits of all of us for the calendar this year. I think it will be real nice."

Now I had to admit it was a good idea, and since I was looking for something to work on, I agreed. So I jumped in my truck and headed down to the local art supply. I chose some grey Canson illustration board for this project and got to work. The results are what you see above. There are some that I like, some that I love, and of course, some parts of them that I keep thinking I could have done better. I think it's the last comment which keeps me doing what I do. Reaching for the ever-elusive perfection. Honestly, I hope I never find it.

P.S.The finished 8"x10" drawings made a fantastic Christmas present for my in-laws. As the old commercial said, "The look on their faces, priceless."

Have you ever asked yourself, "Am I a real artist?"  I will answer this question with something that a friend of mine told me many years ago.

Here's a bit of the back story.  I was working at a hardware store and would draw on every break and lunch hour.  One day I was at lunch drawing, and a friend of mine came into the break room.

My friend:  "So, you're an artist."

Me: "Well, that's what I want to be."

My friend: "You either are an artist, or you are not.  So, you're an artist."

Me: "Yes, I am an artist."

From that moment on, I have considered myself an artist.  I know that I am not as good as some, but I am the best artist I can be at this time.

Now let me ask you the same question; Are you an artist?  It's okay if you say no.  Heck, I did all those years ago.  Now my 7.3 readers, comes the secret.  Say I am an artist.  If you say it, you will come to believe it. Then you will have the confidence to look at a blank piece of paper and see the image waiting to come out.  The need to release that image that starts within you is what makes you an artist.  It isn't skill or style but desire.

That is what makes an artist.