My story...

I’m a beginner.

As you can see on Michelle’s Blissgirl art page, she’s been painting acrylic on canvas and other objects for several years. Throughout 2006 she loaded me up with “encouragement" (peer pressure :) to give oil painting a try. In my years in the Art & Design program at GVSU, oil painting was one medium I had never worked with. That October of 2006, I finally gave in and decided to try working with oils.

I've always appreciated fine artists who can produce really thick, 3-dimensional paintings, so that was my goal. Unfortunately, an hour or two after starting my first piece (Exploration No. 1), I gave up in frustration and admitted to myself that oil panting wasn't my thing. My painting was a mess!

I was tempted to give all my tubes of oil and blank canvases away, not expecting to ever use them again.

Try (and then try again) for anti-perfection.

Fast forward three months, around Christmas I decided to give it one more shot, this time experimenting with palette knives instead of brushes. I found a bit more enjoyment and continued my series of oil “explorations."

Historically, I always leaned towards perfectionist tendencies in my art, most noticeably in my college work (drawing, sculpture, jewelry, etc.). I aimed for completely accurate details, realistic rendering, and well-planned proportions. Yet, with oil painting I started developing a new purpose: to spontaneously and quickly create abstracts in one sitting, which was traditionally waaaay out of my comfort zone.

I’m still a beginner.

I’ve learned to welcome the messy surprises and new directions that oil forces me to deal with. I realize how much of a "beginner" I am at this, but most of the time that's a fun place to be.

Today, Exploration No. 1 hangs in my work office. It’s my reminder to never give up.