Quick! You're on the beach with a friend and you spot something approaching on the horizon. To your amazement, you make out an armada of giant rubber ducks coming to shore. What is your reaction? Are you excited? Overjoyed? Concerned? Skeptical? Worried? Afraid? Are they visitors or invaders? Do they bring good tidings or dark intentions? Sometimes a painting can just be a fun picture that makes you smile. And sometimes it contains a deeper meaning. I asked people on social media to share their perceptions of this painting, and it may or may not surprise you that their responses …
Archives for July 2024
How to Be a Great Surfer (Or Anything Else)
I've watched surfers in Hawaii, San Diego, and yes, even here in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, which is also known as "The Malibu of the Midwest." The majority of a surfer's time seems to be spent paddling, floating, and waiting. From what I hear, it's all worth it, because the feeling you experience when you're in the middle of a great wave, having timed it just right, is a moment of euphoria. I feel like I have some sense of this as an artist. There are moments when I'm in the zone at my easel, when time stands still, every brush stroke feels pre-ordained, and the joy of creating fills my …
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A Message in a Bottle
On our very first date, Kim and I agreed to live on a lake. As we began the process of getting to know each other, we got talking about our ideal place to live. For some reason, Idaho was mentioned. (When you grow up in a small town in Illinois surrounded by cornfields, almost everywhere feels more exotic.) We talked of mountains and potatoes (obviously), but pine trees and lakes took precedence. We both agreed that living on a lake surrounded by tall pine trees would be an ideal place to settle down. (We didn't necessarily know it would be together.) The two of us dated for …