Ideas Matter

I’ve always been interested in ideas. Not just ideas for paintings, but ideas about people, how they think, and how they see the world.

Inspiration can come from almost anywhere. A color, a piece of music, a building, something in nature, or a conversation with someone who sees things completely differently than I do. Sometimes it’s something I’ve never thought about before. Other times, it makes me look at something familiar in a new way.

I’ve come to appreciate that people don’t all see things the same way. Some are drawn to emotion and expression. Others like structure, order, and carefully considered forms. I find something interesting in all of it. I don’t have to approach things the same way someone else does to appreciate what they’re doing.

I think that’s part of being an artist. You’re always observing, taking things in, and making connections. Some ideas turn into paintings. Others stay with you, sometimes for years, before you understand what they mean to you.

And not everything I learn comes from painting. The people I’ve met, the situations I’ve found myself in, and the things I’ve experienced have all influenced how I think. Sometimes you learn something about someone else. Sometimes you learn something about yourself.

I’ve discovered that the way I see things today is the result of a lot of different experiences. Some were good, some weren’t, but all of them became part of how I think and what I value.

I don’t think you ever completely figure yourself out. At least, I haven’t. I’m still curious about people, still exploring ideas, and still finding new ways to look at things.

Maybe that’s what keeps me going. There’s always something else to consider, another perspective to understand, or an idea worth pursuing.

And sometimes, an idea doesn’t have to become a painting to be worthwhile. Sometimes, just thinking about it changes the way you see things.

Ideas matter. Not just for what you create, but for how you see the world and who you become along the way.