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So I’m painting on much larger canvases these days. It’s interesting because my nose is so close to the canvas that I can delight in every nuance of every single brushstroke. 

 But that’s actually not such a good thing. 

 Sometimes I get so caught up trying to craft that perfect mark. That perfect tail of blue that sweeps across the canvas. That perfect edge. That perfect dot of color.

 I get so caught up in crafting these perfect details sometimes that I lose sight of spontaneity, and more importantly, a natural reaction to what I want to capture. And I think it’s that spontaneity – a simple reflection of what I’m seeing – that is one of the hallmarks of what can make art unique. 

 I just get too cute at times with the details that you can’t even see if you step a foot away.

 Now, I keep a sticky note on my easel that says “squint”. It’s there to remind myself to simplify simplify simplify. Using bigger brushes helps, because I can’t work in every tiny detail. Painting on a 8 x 10” canvas is totally different than painting on a scale that’s 4 or 5 times larger. Not only does it take me a lot longer, but it’s harder to keep the strokes fresh when I have to cover so much more territory. On a smaller canvas, swish swish and I’m done. These bigger ones, ohmygosh I dab and dab and dab. 

 But I’m aware of this now. I try hard to resist dabbling and get back to the swashbuckling. The way my studio is set up right now is a bonus, because there’s a decent sized mirror behind me. I can glance back at that and see my painting in progress in a new light. Yes it’s reversed but so what.

 It amazes me how a step back…a different viewpoint… can reveal things that you can’t see that are right under your nose.

 Without getting too over-the- top with my reflections, I thought that seems like a good metaphor for life right now. Things are so divided, so black or white. When you stare at something up close for too long, you can’t see the flaws. You can't see what's right. And you can’t see what needs to change to make it better.

 What have I learned?

 Take a step back. 

Squint, so all you see are the big things. The little stuff is unimportant.

 Let’s get to this new year and squint a little more, let’s let go of the tiny details that mean nothing. I’m going to try to paint the meat and leave out the rest.

Happy holidays to you all, thanks for indulging me again!