I had the privilege of addressing the December 2008 Graduates of my Alma Mater, Lipscomb University, on December 20, 2008. The following are my comments to the graduating class. I recently mentioned the TR story in an interview with International Artist Magazine and realized it would be appropriate for the graduates as well. As artists, we have to tackle problems with our work head-on if we are going to grow. There are no shortcuts in the life of a working artist…or a human being!

Hundreds of supporters, friends, and family joined Senator Arlen Specter at the National Constitution Center Friday evening for the unveiling of the Senator’s official portrait. It was the largest crowd I have had the honor of unveiling a portrait for and a testament to the popularity of the senator.

Looking for a quick and easy model stand? Check this out! I think I got this from my friend, Dawn Whitelaw, years ago when I was looking for a simple solution for my workshops.

A year or so ago, the Portrait Society of America did a series of articles in their newsletter on “Traits of a Successful Artist.” I was honored to be asked to contribute my thoughts on things that have helped me to survive as a artist. As Mr. Kinstler has said to me more than once “keep the faith!”

I had the honor of speaking at the Portrait Society of America’s Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania last week. A high point of the weekend for me was being asked to speak at the Inspirational Hour on Sunday morning. We had a great group–much larger than expected for 7:30 in the morning! By request, here are the highlights of the talk I presented entitled S.H.A.P.E.

I travel over 100 days a year. In most cases I have oil paint, a small wood palette, and a few brushes packed in my carry-on bag. It would be easier in some ways to check the bag, but I prefer to take it with me. Last weekend when having my bags checked for a return flight, I was informed for the first time in months that I could not carry my small tubes of oil paint on board. In today’s climate of airport security, you hate to cause a fuss, but I knew that I could take them with me under current regulations.

I had a nice comment posted from Adrienne the other day. She specifically mentioned: “Would love to hear your comments about how you stay motivated. What do you do when you feel stale? Or do you ever?”

I do get “stale.” Tired might be more accurate. I spend a lot of time in the studio each day hard at work at my easel and managing the many other areas related to the business of being an artist. I have found several things that help if I can’t get my mind in the creative spirit. 

I just finished a wonderful book, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Dr. Meg Meeker, and I recommend it to any dad with girls. As a father of daughters, it is one of the best books I have read on parenting.

I forget who showed me this quick and easy clean up idea, but I love it!

Do you ever tire of digging out the goop from the bottom of your turp can?

I’m just finishing the first day of a weekend workshop. We have a wonderful class full of eager students from around the country ready and willing to try new things and grow as artists. I am always energized by the excitement and interest in the eyes of the students. They want to learn and develop their craft. They want more.

I just read a wonderful new book for artists entitled I’d Rather Be in the Studio, The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self Promotion by Alyson B. Stanfield.

Something I keep coming back to again and again is how important it is to balance the pursuit of “feeling” with the technical discipline necessary to create a work of art. Too much of one usually lacks discipline, too much of the other usually lacks feeling and becomes mechanical.