I would like to share this painting created during a hot summer in Eugene, Oregon. It was a dry, bright and beautiful summers day near the Willamette river. I found a spot in the shade (as I always try to do), set up my easel, took out my oils and went at it. It was a two day affair of which I was pleased with the final result......My painting style and approach has not changed in all these years. I still, to this day, find myself wrapped up in the emotion of the scene and move my brush with   blood running quickly through my body and mind. I am not interested in realism, but with reveling my feelings of what the light, shape and movement of the scene says to me. I do not self analyze every stroke or color combination but let the physical experience of painting show me the way to see. I do not over think what is before my eyes  nor do I detached  myself in a mindless manner but try to become  intuitively open to my emotional state which allows a painting to be created......The beauty of painting is the fresh challenge it brings to understanding myself and the environment around me. My place in it! The act of Painting changes with each session just like everyday moment to moment interaction with daily life changes. Painting becomes a metaphor. Sometimes the art work is easy to come by and sometimes not. You wonder why but it is best to move on. Like life and its ups and downs I do not want to spend too much time trying to figure the nuances of why something works or not. It naturally happens when honest engagement is a priority and you are present and in the moment. There in lies the lessons of life.....Don't sweat the small stuff and let the big picture  reveal itself......Enjoy your day and enjoy your life. Thank you for taking the time to look and read.