8x10, oil on panel.

One of the things I admire most about Van Gogh is that he painted everything. Landscape, Still Life, Portait, Figure. You name it, he probably painted it. The man had no fear. He would try anything.

This year has been a year of big changes for me and my painting practice. I’m painting more now than I ever have. I’m not finding time to paint, I’m making time to paint. I’m working a little larger than I ever have (although, by most standards, I am still working small). And I’m trying new subjects.

Portaiture is one thing that I’ve avoided. Fear has kept me from it. Fear of making a bad painting (not like I haven’t dont that before). Fear of wasting the precious few hours I have in the studio (not like I haven’t done that before either). Fear that people will ridicule my work (Wow! Is my ego that delicate?).

In this painting, I am facing a monster head-on.