Rivers' Bend 9x12 Acrylic on Canvas

Painting really is a journey.  Along the way, our personal voice may change.  I think it is more accurate to say that our personal voice becomes more focused and more clearly stated as we invest the time and thought standing behind the easel.  It takes time to sort through all we don't like to arrive at what we want to put down on canvas.  It is ongoing.  There is no final conclusion when it comes to painting.  However, there are paintings which speak to us and tell us what direction we are heading, whether we want to move forward or change direction.

Ballet Dancer 11x14 Acrylic on Canvas

The model here is Emily.  She is a ballet dancer with Quad City Ballet.  I have seen her dance.  I don't know how she does it.  It is as if her feet do not even touch the stage.

Exterior 11x14 Acrylic on Canvas

I have always focused on portrait and figurative painting, but I always loved every genre of painting, including to a lesser extent, abstract painting.  So I have been finding subject matter everywhere.  So why not paint paint it all, as long as its strikes an emotional chord and I can find a connection with the subject.