Hi Mark, your email touched a nerve with me. I am 70 years old living in the UK. I have served in the military and for almost 30 yrs as a police officer. I don't think I have ever been so worried about the coming years as I feel now, and I lived through the Cuban missile crisis. I paint every day and realised a few years ago how much painting helps my mental health. I think we are fortunate to have such an outlet for our wellbeing. Best wishes to you and yours for the coming year and happy brushes.
It is nice to know there are some like minded people in this area especially when surrounded by the opposite. I’m very fearful for this world. Blessed to have a love for paint/art.
Thank you Mark! I, too feel great sadness at all that is going on. Then I remember that my parents married in July 1939 in Kansas. What was going on then? Kansas was deep in the Dust Bowl, America was on the cusp of entering WW 2 while still suffering the Great Depression. Yet they found courage to believe enough in the future to marry and start a new life together. I guess it is our turn to have courage and hope! I am also a painter and thankful for the joy that creativity brings!
So touched by your post. It's going to be a tough 4 years but we can each do our part to make it a bit better for those around us. Happy new year and keep creating your wonderful art. It helps you and everyone who gets to admire it.
Art is a wonderful escape, whether it's looking at paintings of Tybee when it's below zero in Illinois or studio sessions painting a landscape of a New England marsh based on childhood memories. I'm pretty sure yours was one of the first accounts I followed when I joined Instagram, and I've learned so much from your art and comments. My New Years resolution is to be more aware of the resources around me to be a better artist and to learn more from the artists I admire. Thank you for generously sharing your thoughts and process.
Hi Marc... lots of good stuff you wrote about today. I look forward to the next one you mention. Life can be ups and downs as we know ... especially the length of my life knowing the good times and the not so good times... I made it through. We deal with the days of what comes our way, personally, and for the country. We must try to think more positive to see if we can help others enjoy their lives as well. Art definitely keeps us grounded and in a more positive state of mine ... in my opinion. You guys are special, both of you... stay the course. And as someone else said... show us picture of you out in the snow if you get it! Stay healthy, please and keep on painting!
Yes, born in '53. Taking care of a Vietnam vet with Parkinson's & never in our life times thought we would be experiencing what looks like a techno-cratic authoritarian government accelerating in our country. Isn't it ironic, today, is Martin Luther King's day & inauguration? I thought growing up was turbulent. This is so different. Thank you for the reminder of optimism.
Very well said Marc. It seems you and I share a birthday. Literally. July 20,1955. Maybe that has something to do with the commonality of our perspectives! I’m sure you are right in saying times have been worse. Humankind has a pretty unkind history. But what we face today feels like an existential level. Facing the challenges and steeling myself for what is ahead of us is about all I can do. And then just remind myself to take each day, each hour, each challenge as it comes. But most importantly we must not forget to see the good and the beauty anywhere we can. Hope springs eternal. Your art brings beauty and joy. Keep painting!
Your comments inspired me not so much because I can relate to your age or experiences with almost being sent to war but because you speak up and out as an artist. It would be easy to only focus on the art and teaching, but being silent is being complicit. I admire that you’ve used your platform…this platform…to call out hypocrisy and madness and to plead for more kindness and justice for each other and especially for the planet that we as artists revere. Thanks, Marc. Here’s to more creativity and joy, and voice :)
Hi Mark, your email touched a nerve with me. I am 70 years old living in the UK. I have served in the military and for almost 30 yrs as a police officer. I don't think I have ever been so worried about the coming years as I feel now, and I lived through the Cuban missile crisis. I paint every day and realised a few years ago how much painting helps my mental health. I think we are fortunate to have such an outlet for our wellbeing. Best wishes to you and yours for the coming year and happy brushes.
Let’s hope we survive the next 4 years!
Nothing could be as bad as the crime spree we experienced over the last 4 years. This time, I hope Trump drains the complete swamp.
❤️
😘
It is nice to know there are some like minded people in this area especially when surrounded by the opposite. I’m very fearful for this world. Blessed to have a love for paint/art.
Thank you for writing this all of us creatives. I’m glad we have our art to keep us grounded with the next 4 years ahead of us. Best,Lori
Thank you Mark! I, too feel great sadness at all that is going on. Then I remember that my parents married in July 1939 in Kansas. What was going on then? Kansas was deep in the Dust Bowl, America was on the cusp of entering WW 2 while still suffering the Great Depression. Yet they found courage to believe enough in the future to marry and start a new life together. I guess it is our turn to have courage and hope! I am also a painter and thankful for the joy that creativity brings!
So touched by your post. It's going to be a tough 4 years but we can each do our part to make it a bit better for those around us. Happy new year and keep creating your wonderful art. It helps you and everyone who gets to admire it.
Well said. Mentally tough times.
good stuff marc
Art is a wonderful escape, whether it's looking at paintings of Tybee when it's below zero in Illinois or studio sessions painting a landscape of a New England marsh based on childhood memories. I'm pretty sure yours was one of the first accounts I followed when I joined Instagram, and I've learned so much from your art and comments. My New Years resolution is to be more aware of the resources around me to be a better artist and to learn more from the artists I admire. Thank you for generously sharing your thoughts and process.
Hi Marc... lots of good stuff you wrote about today. I look forward to the next one you mention. Life can be ups and downs as we know ... especially the length of my life knowing the good times and the not so good times... I made it through. We deal with the days of what comes our way, personally, and for the country. We must try to think more positive to see if we can help others enjoy their lives as well. Art definitely keeps us grounded and in a more positive state of mine ... in my opinion. You guys are special, both of you... stay the course. And as someone else said... show us picture of you out in the snow if you get it! Stay healthy, please and keep on painting!
Yes, born in '53. Taking care of a Vietnam vet with Parkinson's & never in our life times thought we would be experiencing what looks like a techno-cratic authoritarian government accelerating in our country. Isn't it ironic, today, is Martin Luther King's day & inauguration? I thought growing up was turbulent. This is so different. Thank you for the reminder of optimism.
Very well said Marc. It seems you and I share a birthday. Literally. July 20,1955. Maybe that has something to do with the commonality of our perspectives! I’m sure you are right in saying times have been worse. Humankind has a pretty unkind history. But what we face today feels like an existential level. Facing the challenges and steeling myself for what is ahead of us is about all I can do. And then just remind myself to take each day, each hour, each challenge as it comes. But most importantly we must not forget to see the good and the beauty anywhere we can. Hope springs eternal. Your art brings beauty and joy. Keep painting!
Your comments inspired me not so much because I can relate to your age or experiences with almost being sent to war but because you speak up and out as an artist. It would be easy to only focus on the art and teaching, but being silent is being complicit. I admire that you’ve used your platform…this platform…to call out hypocrisy and madness and to plead for more kindness and justice for each other and especially for the planet that we as artists revere. Thanks, Marc. Here’s to more creativity and joy, and voice :)
Great post Marc. I was born in 1957 and feel like I have lived a similar life. All the best to you in 2025! I’m an optimist as well!
Beautiful!