#12. SERENDIPITY (Reflection While Painting “Buon Appetito!”)
Painting—Olives
Reflection: SERENDIPITY
So much of life is luck and timing—and the artist’s process can demonstrate this. We’re fortunate if we’re able to choose what we paint, though our preferences and outcomes are usually influenced by what’s happening around us. Painting for the Florence Biennale exhibit has given my work a purpose, focus, and appearance that it might not have had otherwise. I was influenced by space requirements and deadlines. I also had to be mindful of making imagery that could have universal appeal. Then, I had to consider my repertoire—my skills, talents, history, and comfortable subject matter—what I may and may not be able to accomplish at this stage of my career. Finally, there was the budget—an issue that I didn’t want to have prohibit the quality and dimension of my work. But, it did. Whether we like it or not, most artists need patronage of some sort. Art is an expensive business and can’t be made properly without funds—especially where large public exhibits are concerned.
