"After The Storm" 22x16 oil on canvas ((p1)

"Reflections" 22x16 oil on canvas (p3)

Both of these paintings were done within days of "Anticipation". I felt free from the confinements of tight painting yet rewarded by it. I had always felt that a lot of abstract painters were only fooling the public. That without knowing the basics it was impossible to paint the abstract of what is real. This is all pretty debatable in my mind these days though, and I am sure in others, especially abstract painters. Even my statement that it is 'impossible to paint an abstract of what is real' lends to questions and objection. Why does it have to be real and what 'is' real. It is all pretty relative. Painting is based on what comes from the soul, I guess that is my ending conclusion. Even that statement is debatable; It is often unclear to me where and from what I get my inspiration or end result. I often look at a painting later and worry that I will never be able to paint that well again. I feel sometimes that it does not come from me at all. Some would say it comes from God and I don't discount that, but it also comes from a host of other things that I am only aware of while in the process of painting or sculpting. Who am I to say what constitutes art, who is anyone? You choose what you like, it is simple as that.