Location Location Location

Last day here in Europe. It has been an incredible trip, and I have a back that is out of whack to prove it! In 15 minutes I will walk across to the chiropractor, have an adjustment and then enjoy what’s remaining of my time here in Amsterdam with Arlette, Giacomo, Peter, Katrine, Jean Pierre, Henri and Hubert. Below is a view of a canal in the moonlight. it doesn’t get more romantic than that.

Thank God for Amsterdam. A truly incredible city.

One of the big reasons I wanted to take this 6 week unofficial “sabbatical” was so that I could actually be places, rather than just virtually being places.. I teach enviornment painting & concept design, and almost all of it is generated through using digital reference. We go anywhwere in the Universe based on collecting and interpreting reference images that we harvest off of the internet.

This is a wonderful thing! The resource at our diposal is nothing short of miraculous. But it does not compare to actually being there. The smells, sounds, tastes, sights and 360 degree context of a unique world whirling around you cannot be replaced with reference images. And so I stepped away from the digital vortex for a bit and actually went places.

This was the location of my last painting. It is tricky finding a spot that fulfills the two prerequisites: Interesting and Not in the way, but this fulfilled those and also probably served as a piss spot for hundreds of dogs. Looking for a location and setting up can often take an hour, but it helps to ensure a modicum of success.

THE PROCESS

Whenever I start a composition my main interest is not the detail, but the big light and dark shapes. I start the drawing layout with that in mind. As usual, I think this painting needs another few hours, but it has been difficult to find time to finish stuff given the current travel schedule. But if I am honest there never seems to be enough time no matter the situation. I think I am going to take out the blue truck on the bridge and put in the railings and bikes that were there.

Although this traveling art trip is now about over, the reality is that all of life is a journey with endless interest everywhere you look. The richness I have gathered here will inform what I do in the future, which will in turn create more opportunities for journeys near and far.

I am so greatful for these experiences and all the people who helped make it happen. The world is a kind place if you expect it to be.