What Drives Me to Paint

I called Andrea to let her know her commission was complete. The next day she arrived at my studio accompanied by her partner Jamie for the unveiling.

I typically present my artwork with a cloth overhanging and then reveal the painting for the first time. This often elicits joy or surprise. However, with this particular unveiling, I was the one surprised.

When I revealed the painting, they started to cry.

They cried tears of joy, and it took me aback. A painting rarely brings people to tears, so when it does, you take note.

Andrea had approached me with a commission for a painting of the view from their back porch. When I told her I would be happy to accommodate, she sent me a photo of her backyard. It was a sublime image of rolling hills hugged by the Blue Ridge Mountains. I understand why they wanted their view captured in a painting. It was gorgeous!

But it wasn't beautiful solely because of the scenery; it was beautiful because of what it represented.

Andrea explained that it is a view she and Jamie look out at every day, "We have an unwinding ritual where we sit in our rocking chairs with a cup of coffee and chat until the sun goes down. We have our best talks there."

It was a painting of where they connect and have their best chats. The beauty of this landscape is that it serves as an embodied memory of their relationship.

It moves me when a gorgeous image transcends into a meaningful metaphor. For me, good and beautiful paintings are when vision and intention marry through the binder of pigment.

Many photos and paintings have idyllic landscapes. But the context behind the image and expression of that context brought this couple to tears.

I can't promise this will happen to you. But now you understand what drives me to paint.