The First Day of Spring     

Ahh Spring!  I am told it has arrived and this will be a beautiful weekend.  I looked around to find a painting to post that was suitable to celebrate the coming of Spring.  I opened my file drawers to find the perfect piece. I found this painting that I had put away as an unfinished symphony. Pulled it out and hung it on my board for a good look. I wondered what I could do to make it better. After studying the painting, I realized that there was a simple charm emanating from the paper and I knew that if I started to add color the whole composition would change.  I rarely use such muted colors.  I generally prefer bold color that makes a huge impact. But the first day of Spring in the Midwest is kind of dull with the colors of the dried plants of last summer intermingled with the buds and emerging green of new growth, so these colors seem to be true.  Then I discovered the title written on the back of the paper, “The First Day of Spring”.  I noticed that I had already signed the front on the lower right as is my custom.  The words of an instructor from the St Paul School of Art came back to me.   He was extremely gifted as a teacher and an artist. He was a delightful gentleman with a salt and pepper beard and smiling brown eyes, so even when he critiqued your work there was a softness to cushion the blow.  He said, “Once a painting is signed it is finished.  If you go back in to work on it again, your intention will be lost, and you will be looking at a failure."

Aside from me, I do not believe anyone has ever seen this work before. You are the first!!

Happy Spring!!