Last spring I attended the opening of an exhibit at Spiva Center for the Arts, in Joplin, and was fascinated by the painter’s style. He built up very detailed textural surfaces, incorporating twine, cardboard, and other found objects onto the surface. He then built layer upon layer of the vibrant paint.

He offered a lecture and class on his style – no previous painting experience required. The class was packed, probably half of us had never painted while the other group were experienced local artists.

I loved the class and have occasionally pulled out the piece I started to dabble around on it.   I can clearly see – in my mind’s eye – the end result. I’ll see how far my year of creative habits can take toward reaching that completion.