Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can.

The title of this post is quote attributed to the star tennis player Arthur Ashe. I think it has many applications to life in general, but more specifically for artists and art making. We all begin our art journey with different life experiences and that can give us a place to start - where we are.

When I decided to start painting, I began with no experience or knowledge of painting at all. I started where I was with no practical information. I used the new materials that I purchased to get started. I did what I could with very limited knowledge and just a few inexpensive materials.

When you are just beginning as a painter, don't buy lots of stuff in hopes that it will make you a better painter. Buy just a few necessities and use what you have. Lots of students think that another kind of brush or another color of paint will make them a better painter, but it won't. Just use what you have until you determine that you want to move forward with your pursuit. That way you won't have wasted resources on something you end up not pursuing.

Do what you can wherever you are in your journey. Don't think you have to be at a certain place in a month, or a year. Do what you can now, without too much expectation for the future. Be present and be in the moment.

If you'd like to learn to paint with spontaneity and freshness, check out my list of upcoming workshops: (You can view a list of 2018 workshops HERE)

January 18-20, 2018 Forstall Art Supply, Birmingham, AL. To register contact Zack Barnes: Email: contact@forstallart.com or phone: 205-870-0480, or visit: http://www.forstallart.com/workshops.html
February 1-3 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. To register contact David: david@davidmkessler.com or Register Online HERE.
February 12-15 Society of Bluffton Artists, Bluffton, SC. To register contact Sandra Wenig: slwenig@gmail.com.
February 21-23 Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, Fort Smith, AR. To register contact Casey Seamons: casey@fsram.org

As always, thanks so much for your support!

David

P.S. If you cannot attend a live event, or prefer to learn online in the comfort of your home or studio, Abstract Painting Academy is my online workshop: