I have another muse in Maine, nestled in Winter Harbor, close to where I’m planning the much-anticipated portrait of Maria. To get there, I have to walk down a meandering path through the woods until I hit the water. By the time I'm halfway down, I can hear the waves crashing in the distance and smell the salty air. Perched atop the large rocky edge of the water is a tiny one-room house, with panoramic windows and a fireplace. 

I imagine that in the late 1800s, the owners of the large house up the hill would have their evening brandy and cigars here, protected from the elements. Now, I use it as my Artist’s refuge, often painting there in the evenings while imagining all the romantic firsts that must have happened in this secluded little cabin. Many lovers have carved their names into the wood memorializing their affection.

When I finally trek all my painting equipment down the hill, the next thought that crosses my mind—after making sure I’ve brought down every shade of blue in existence—is, "Now what?" It’s probably not unlike a golfer standing on the first tee, excited and hopefully prepared for this moment, yet unsure of what will unfold. Often, all that energy goes nowhere. I’m more likely to shank my first painting into the ocean rather than hit the fairway. I get so amped up to create a masterpiece sometimes I forget the important ingredients of a great painting.

I think the first rule is not to try to make great Art but to continue observing and connecting with my subject. The great will come, but focusing solely on the end result doesn’t make great Art. Instead, I need to concentrate on design, color, texture, tone, and my ability to find and exploit these elements. 

That’s what these paintings truly are—studies. They’re meant for learning, for quickly recording the important elements I want to convey. With a little luck, these studies will grow into a larger painting or commission. With even more luck, they’ll end up on the wall of a client’s collection, full of curiosity and Moxie.

A little bonus behind-the-scenes footage…

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