I painted this little 8" x 6" painting for my partner for Valentine's Day this year. This maple tree at his farm has a quality of strength that reminds me of him. The view beyond with the warm light in the eastern sky at sunset gives me pause to remember the times he offers a hug or a bit of warmth during some brutally cold encounter with life. We are in love and it is easy to paint for someone I love.I was eager to paint this image as soon as I saw it because he loves this farm and has lived there for nearly thirty-three years. Soon, he may move and I wanted him to have something that would remind him of the property. And something I had painted specifically for him. Valentine's Day is full of ephemeral gifts like chocolate or flowers—but February is good solid studio time. Why not make a Valentine like we used to make in school?
I find myself far more motivated to paint for someone I love. Perhaps it is the memory of being a child and having my most recent work admired by my own family. I am a painter who likes to have an agenda and I wish I didn't. It really is so much easier to paint because you love to do it, not because you want to paint an image for someone.
It seems for some, the audience matters. I find myself encouraged by deadlines as well, so the fast approach of February 14 after Christmas gives me something to work towards. Otherwise I will revise ad nauseam. And the more I paint, I find my muse is usually someone who loves and appreciates my work. With time, I hope to cultivate myself as that audience. I think it would make me paint more often and with much more enjoyment.
