I CAN
procrastinate like a pro! I know I'm doing it, I know I don't like to do
it, and I even know how to stop doing it. Most times I shrug it off;
I'm good with deadlines. But occasionally, and usually with a person
portrait, it can go on for a tad too long for my comfort.
THAT'S
WHEN I have to close my eyes and visualize this painting, called Lion
Reading, which hangs in Kaweah Delta hospital, in Visalia, CA. I painted
it 16 years ago, in 1998. I was still struggling with making my living
as an artist after a divorce, and also raising a 7- year old daughter,
Bronwen, no money, not sure when the next commission would come. So I
designed this 8'x8' painting, to present to the hospital in hopes of
selling it.
I
GOT a good part of the painting done, but when it came to painting
Lion's eyes I froze. He's telling an exciting story so his eyes needed
to be bright and opened, but NOT crazed. He's not going to EAT the young
animals!
A
DAY went by- then another. A week. Finally, frustrated by my lack of
confidence, Bronwen came up to me, handed me a paintbrush, fully loaded,
with that look on her face that meant I know all things, and said "Just
start. You'll figure it out." Yeah, that's my girl.
