It's been a whole year since I've re-connected with DeviantArt, and it's such a pleasure to read all the comments and kind words. I've been admitted to a local gallery here in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, and that puts a fire under my butt to keep producing. Whereas before, painting was a leisure hobby, it's now been bumped-up a notch.

Having to make myself become more disciplined and dedicated has made me see how childish I am about painting. I make a host of excuses, ranging from 'not in the mood right now' to 'why did I choose this subject?', to 'my neck and head hurt', and will sometimes do almost ANYTHING else, including vaccuming to avoid picking up a brush.

I've learned that a well-painted watercolour is the result of being mentally determined and courageous enough to trust my own abilities. So many of my ruined paintings are due to being afraid and too careful, and obsessed with 'fixing' what I think are minor defects, to the point where I don't want to paint anything ever again.

Strangely, though, I feel most free when painting people and more specifically, portraits. I love watching familiar features come alive, especially when I finally paint the subject's eyes.

I've learned this past year to appreciate another artist's comment: 'the amateur refuses to paint until inspired--the professional starts painting and then finds inspiration.'