A Brighter Path

"Path to Prosperity" - 5 x 7" - oil

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A few days ago I hit a brick wall (figuratively speaking).  I started second guessing every painting that I wanted to start.  I hadn't even put a mark on the board before convincing myself how badly it would turn out.  It's easy to talk someone else through a mental block but it's totally different when you're left alone with your own discouraging thoughts.   

I was well into a few hours of berating myself before I was able to tell myself "what do you have to lose?"  Sure, I could lose a few hours of work time and maybe some paint but that's small potatoes  I wasn't in danger of losing my self respect or dignity since I lost those years ago.  Even if it's a bad painting I'm likely to walk away having learned something.  All in all the pros outweighed the cons and the painting above is what came of it.  

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Inspiration (Revisited)

"Blue Morning (The James)" - 30" x 40" - oil

Available at the Glave Kocen Gallery

I don't know if anyone has noticed but during the past couple of months I haven't been my usual productive self. I couldn't quite put my finger on just what was bringing my productivity to a standstill. After several days of torture, I came to the conclusion that I need to find a new source of inspiration in my subject matter. I've been cooped up in my studio for so long that I've lost touch with my subject matter. So the plan is to get out a little more and let the inspiration find me. For now enjoy this painting of the James River in Richmond, VA that is now available at the Glave Kocen Gallery.

...More than Meets the Eye

"The Home Stretch" - 16 x 20" - oil

Available at Art Access Gallery

Often I post updates on Facebook letting people know the status of my painting escapades. The responses that I get usually go something like..."you're a machine" or "do you ever sleep?" Well I'd like to clear this up a little bit. I'm in no way a machine, although I did have braces and I do own a few transformer action figures. For those of you that see me as a fairly prolific artist, I can only attribute this to desperation and my total obsession with making a living as an artist. I wake up everyday with the mindset that I'm out of work. I don't wait for people to find me or for the galleries to do all of my dirty work. It's the career that I've chosen and I'm extremely dedicated. Some days are more productive than others but everyday is a workday...and work is good.

You're the Only Ten I See.

"Winter Drive" - 11 x 14" - oil

Available at The Arts Company

The painting above is just one of 33 paintings that will be in my show titled Nashville Town and Country at The Arts Company in Nashville, TN. In similar fashion to most of my paintings, this piece stems from a roadtrip during the holidays. I don't often paint winter scenes but this one struck me as appealing and may lead to a few more. The opening is Saturday, February 6th from 6-9pm so if you know of anyone in the Nashville area tell them to stop on by.

On another note, I'd like to reach out to those of you who are following this blog. I usually talk about what's going on as far as my life as an artist, but I'm sure that I haven't covered everything. So this is your chance. If there's any issue that I have not addressed as a working artist that you would like to know about or have me write about, just send an email to steven@stevenwalkerstudios.com with the subject BLOG THOUGHTS.