Paint Paintings... Vincent van Gogh gave me paint. Time to Paint.

This morning I had eggs and toast. Sorry no bacon. I was thinking of Terrilee. Egg sandwich.

My brain is scrabbled. So rather than try creatively come up with new ideas. I decided to look at drawings and make them into paintings. So away I paint. No time to be lazy.

I own and run an art gallery. Many people say to me... OH I wish I could paint and be an artist. I smile. Generally say little. Just be polite. Thank them for visiting the gallery. Talk about the art.

But

To be an artist is not easy. It involves a lot of work. Not just painting paintings. But there is so much work work that has to be done done Sure I love what I do. It is fun. But in a couple of days. Tuesday or Wednesday I have to go poster 800 black and white posters all over the city. I say have to... why. That is the work work that enables me to paint paint.

As a professional artist. Note the word profession. It is a career. I treat it as a job job. Time management is a very important element in my career.

To be a professional artist involves a great deal of work. Inspiration is less. A lot of work is more heavy. I enjoy the event planning. The poster. Interviews.... it is a joy.

But in a few days I will be outside putting up 800 posters all over the city promoting the next months show. I will be writing a press release. Contacting media. Doing marketing. Sending out invites.... basic office work. Respecting this side of my profession has enabled me to painting paintings.

My average work week is: minimum 80 hours, average 100 hours, not uncommon 130 hours.

Over the past 19 years relentless hard work has enabled me to position myself to live my life as an artist. I feel very blessed.

Yesterday I managed to complete three small paintings. Two are listed below.

Fallen. oil on canvas. 10 x 12 inches. Price $400

She is a Flower. oil on canvas. 10 x 12 inches :Price: $400

With it being the end of the Christmas I felt it would be a good idea to share a poem I wrote about Vincent Van Gogh 15 years ago.

Fuck me up

Fuck me up

Treat me bad

then crucify me

and we shall package my pain

and Santa will deliver it

to Vincent for Christmas

it will be wrapped up

ever so tightly and

placed under the tree where children

with rosy cheeks can dance around

Poem written 1996 by Patrick John Mills