This weekend I was showing a young, first-time buyer two similar properties. In an effort to help him compare I gave my oh-so learned opinion. Me, with all my 36 years of experience, laid on my wisdom.  What an idiot!

Some days, no, many days I have no idea what to write in this weekly blog.  What shall we do?  What will inform and if lucky, inspire or enlighten?  MORE questions–that’s what’s needed—more questions—What area of the process has not been covered lately?  Who could use what to advance their work?  What have I learned this week from whom or what that I can relate to painting?  What quote has stuck in my head? Why? Etc.

I should have simply asked my client more questions.

Among the best ways to approach abandoned work that leaves us blank work is to merely formulate questions:  What does it communicate?  Is there a story? Even if there is, is it something I’m interested in pursuing? What’s my favorite part? Is that part worth saving?  What do I dislike the most?  Can I make that offensive passage work or do I just get rid of it?  If I turn the piece this way or that, will anything appear?  What is the direction my work has been heading?  Is there anything in this “underpainting” that fits with it?  Look. Let the questions bubble up. Then ponder quietly as other preparation for painting takes place.

Ideally inspiration comes from connection to our interior realm and to the exterior world–we can only hope. Unfortunately, hope doesn’t make it happen.  The job then becomes to “stir the pot”— attention to reoccurring thoughts, images, taking psychedelics (kidding-just seeing if you’re paying attention) all stimulate.  Asking specific questions stirs. What to do next will become apparent.