Humility

Original acrylic painting on cardstock

Measures approximately: 2.75" x 4"

Completed in 2010.

Humility. I am only this. With all of the ego and all of the limitations and all of the desires. I am only this. And the one question that can actually make it better is, "How can I help you?" Being of use. Humility is that beautiful soft shaky voice inside that tells us to do the right thing. Be useful. Help others. Serve.

About the words series: The one critical bit of advise I have heard most consistently throughout my career is this, "Do not paint words. Do not mix words and art. The images should speak for themselves."

Perhaps because of this, I always want to paint words. I understand where the criticism is coming from and on some super-visual pieces, I opt not to include any words. On other pieces, I work very hard to integrate words as compositional elements so that they are subtle and do not detract.

But that does not satisfy me. I want to paint words like this. I love painting words like this. Words have made such a HUGE difference in my life. Healed me. Brought me back from the dead. I was raised by books, made whole by books, befriended by books. I want to celebrate words. Put them on thrones. Throw parties for them. That is my ambition for the new word paintings I am working on now. To pass along my love for these words. Inviting you to my word party.

Plus, I think these paintings will make kick-ass cards and prints and mugs and things.