Painting is like a parade

     Painting takes me to a place where time, imagination, and process meet.  Immersed in the present moment while composing, mixing colors, and laying on brushwork is alluring. I aspire to bring together intention and technique to produce a visual statement which evokes an emotion, thought or memory.

     "Conversing with Rocks at Arroyo Hondo" is a 30"x 40" oil painting developed from a smaller plein air painting that I created in July 2015.

Standing on the bank of the Rio Grande River, listening to the sound of the burbling water and squawking magpie, I stood entranced by the forms before me. A month later in the quiet of my home studio, this larger painting was born, a link to past experience flowing through the dance of expanded brushstrokes, intuitive thought, and color.

     On September 25, at the reception for "Artist as Teacher, Teacher as Artist" sponsored by the Episcopal School of Dallas, I had the pleasure of seeing my painting displayed alongside work by colleagues from around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Conversation with others about their work, and seeing the wide variety of subjects, media, and styles reminds me of the importance of this type exhibit. We who are passionate about the creative process, and are teachers, desire to engage our students in the stages of perception, experimentation, practice, and focus to reach the depths of human expression. Conversation with ourselves, sources of  inspiration, and with other people is why we are creating.

Visit the John and Jennifer Eagle Gallery at the Episcopal School of Dallas, until Dec. 4 to have your own conversation with local artworks.