I can only control this today

In the current state of things, each day brings emotions, ups and downs generated from the involuntary or voluntary brooding over something that happened - so much noise that no matter where starts, it is always political in the end - or that somebody said or did or, worse, did not say or do. In the enormous context of the pandemic, these emotions could bring so many health, mental health, consequences…

That is when my time at the studio turns into an oasis, a retreat. The thought “I can only control this today” comes to mind. This phrase has really turned into my tagline lately. It is now my focus, my compass and what keeps me going.

I can “only” control the palette I will use on a given support, paper or canvas or anything I am working on. I can “only” choose which mark I will add, what shape I will do, with which tool I will deliver the texture or form I want to accomplish for my project at hand. I can “only” be the owner of my acts during my painting process, of which I plan to write you more about in future posts.

And by “only” controlling these simple painting steps, I manage to fulfill an image that was not there before in the world; the creation of an object that often makes me wonder about the spiritual element of the creative activity. If I share that image with you, my kindred community, I feel I bring happiness and a smile to you; an oasis, a retreat perhaps to your life that brings back a smile to my face; a true domino effect.

Image: "I can only control this today", oil on canvas, 18 x 14 inches, available for purchase. If you are interested in this or other paintings please contact me here.