Pushing through the under growth

There are cycles of learning in a painters life, periods of furious production when I am confident in my process and objective and other periods of confusion and redundancy. I liken these latter times of struggle to the uncertainty I have experienced thrashing through the underbrush of an old growth forest, unsure of where I am going, getting scratched and bruised but always hopeful that the darkness will clear and I will stumble out into some glorious new vista..
 I have been diligently working through some ideas and a process with little to show for it over the past month  but I see some light and am just a bit surer of where my art is directing me. I will be combining my love of the landscape and people into something different from my previous work. Below is my recent oil painting "Spring".  

SPRING 24X30" Oil

My portrait exhibition, "My Tribe" will be opening for a six week run at the Summerland Art Gallery next week. Reception is at 7 to 9 on May 9. I look forward to a "homecoming" with all my generous sitters. See you there.