The Master’s Tools - The Story
A few years ago, early in my painting journey, I was on a flight into DFW airport. I lived in Dallas at the time, and on this particular flight, I discovered American Airline’s artist spotlights in their inflight entertainment. How could I resist? I watched several of these but was really struck by the work of J.D. Miller.
‘No way. He’s in Dallas?!’ I made it my mission to visit his Samuel Lynn Gallery, and I was far from disappointed.
This uber talented human works with globs of rich oil paint, and the colors are nothing short of magnificent! Someday I’ll own one of these masterful works. I’m saving my pennies.
While at his gallery, he gave us permission to step into his on-site studio. Wow. Working primarily with palette knives, his walls are covered in paint splatters, literal mounds of oil paint covered in plastic wrap sit waiting to be sliced and dug into, and his guitar hangs at the ready.
I gazed around that space and saw his palette knives laid out side-by-side, still covered in paint, as though resting up before their next big assignment. The light was hitting them just right, casting shadows that drew me in, begging for exploration. I took a picture.
Being far from able to paint what I saw that day, I filed it away in my SOMEDAY file and moved on to something doable. Damned if that day didn’t arrive, and just a few short months after moving to Asheville, NC’s creative community.
This painting is my favorite, so far. Why? Because it marks a milestone in my “doable” journey. Proof that if you keep at something, you can get better and better and accomplish things that were once just a dream.
The Master’s Tools have since won a number of awards, including "Artistic Excellence" in the traditional category of Fusion Arts 7th Annual International Women Artists Online Exhibition, and, most recently, it was accepted into the Oil Painter’s of America 34th National Exhibit in Bradenton, FL. What a thrill.
Do you have something you dream of accomplishing but think you’ll never get there? I’m here to tell you it’s definitely a doable thing.
Keep plugging away, my friends!
Leana
