Tempering The Mettle

"Fire and the Sky" © 2014 J. Travis Duncan

Have you ever realized that most painters continue to paint until the end of their lives or are physically unable to do so? They never stop. They never quit trying new techniques. There is a continuous metamorphosis of what they do and how they do it. Daily, they are doing something with art; sketching, painting, photographing, or trying to find new subject matter or reference material.

Painters try new things and sometimes they gravitate towards something that others might not find aesthetically pleasing. Picasso is a fine example. Most people only remember him for his works in cubism and surrealism. A lot of people do not like either style. Yet, many have no idea that he was well versed in realism earlier in his life. You read that right, he could paint realistically. He handled the brush quite well if you want my opinion. However, being an artist, he didn't want to stop there, he sought out a way to express himself on the canvas in different ways. He is not alone. Others before and after him have done, do, or will do the same thing.

In order to find that new means of expression, an artist not only has to take a chance, but has to do it on a rather regular basis. No one becomes great at color theory overnight. Most of us know the complementary colors, but do we truly KNOW the complementary colors? Can we grab any tool of the trade, and even some we've created ourselves, and paint? We can and we will, but it is vital that we work at it as often as possible. That is what I want to do.

I want to try to paint one (1) painting a day for 30 days for the sake of advancement, becoming focused, and better stewardship of not just my artwork, but every aspect of my life. Internally, I believe that with any worthwhile endeavor, more than new knowledge can be gained. Deficiencies can be uncovered and dealt with, fears can be overcome, skills can be strengthened, and the whole being benefits from walking such a singular path. Proverbs 14:23 states, "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty." I pray I follow through.

The Art of J. Travis Duncan