Validation

Everyone wants validation that what they do matters. Artists are probably more desirous of this than most. After all art is a direct expression of self. An absence of praise or recognition can be felt as personal rejection. In our culture selling ones art is the clearest expression that it is of value. The more sales and the higher the prices the more important your art and therefore you must be.

Sleeping Model, oil on canvas, 12" X 10", 2006

I sold the above painting some years ago. Happening upon the image recently I was struck with a mild sense of regret. I would gladly return the purchase price to have the painting back. It marks a time and place that were special to me. That's all the validation I am seeking.