I’ve spent decades making art, selling art, experimenting with ideas, and figuring things out along the way. Looking back, I realize that the story isn’t just about the paintings. It’s about everything that happens around them.
There are the successes, the disappointments, the unexpected discoveries, and all those moments when something doesn’t go quite as planned.
And then there are the problems.
Something breaks. Something doesn’t work the way you expected. You find yourself going around in circles, wondering why something that should be simple has suddenly become so complicated.
Sound familiar?
But here’s something I’ve learned: every problem becomes part of the story.
Sometimes you solve it the way you originally intended. Other times, you have to step back, rethink the situation, and find another way. And occasionally, that alternative turns out to be better than your original plan.
That’s part of the adventure.
Every solution becomes the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. You figure something out, move forward, and think you’ve finally got everything under control.
Then something else happens.
Welcome to the never-ending saga of being an artist.
Over the years, I’ve learned that making art is only one part of the experience. There’s also the business, the technology, the marketing, the experimentation, and all the unexpected challenges that come with trying to build something of your own.
It’s a continuous process of learning, adapting, and discovering things you never knew you needed to know.
And sometimes, the most interesting lessons come from the most frustrating experiences.
I was reminded of that recently while working on how to reach an audience with my website. After trying the same approach repeatedly without getting anywhere, I finally switched to something different. The solution wasn’t complicated. I simply had to stop doing what wasn’t working and try another way.
Problem solved. Another lesson learned. Another story to tell.
Looking back, I realize how much these experiences have shaped who I am and continue to influence how I create art.
And that’s an interesting discovery in itself. The thought process behind the work becomes the work itself. Sometimes, while I’m painting, I’m thinking about people, circumstances, and situations. My mind is making connections and putting things into order the way I see them.
Every problem becomes part of the story. Every solution becomes the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Just when you think you’ve reached the end of the story, something breaks, something changes, or a new idea takes you in a different direction. You figure it out, find a solution, and turn the page.
There’s always another chapter waiting to be written.
And the beauty of it is that the saga isn’t over. Today’s problem is just the latest chapter.
Tomorrow, there might be another painting, another idea, another challenge, or another unexpected discovery.
That’s life. That’s business. And that’s the never-ending saga of being an artist.
The story continues.
