30 Day Paintings Challenge - Day 4

Fresh Air inspired by Winslow Homer, watercolor, 7 x 9", 2014

" The life I have chosen gives me my full hours of enjoyment" - Winslow Homer

I wonder if Mr. Homer made this statement before or after these comments were made by his critics.. 
read below...

Homer started painting with watercolors on a regular basis in 1873 during a summer stay in Gloucester, Massachusetts. From the beginning, his technique was natural, fluid and confident, demonstrating his innate talent for a difficult medium. His impact would be revolutionary. Here, again, the critics were puzzled at first, "A child with an ink bottle could not have done worse." Another critic said that Homer "made a sudden and desperate plunge into water color painting". But his watercolors proved popular and enduring, and sold more readily, improving his financial condition considerably. They varied from highly detailed (Blackboard - 1877) to broadly impressionistic (Schooner at Sunset - 1880). Some watercolors were made as preparatory sketches for oil paintings (as for "Breezing Up") and some as finished works in themselves. Thereafter, he seldom traveled without paper, brushes and water based paints. (Source: winslowhomer.com website)

If there's one lesson I have to learn over and over again in the profession of making art for a living it is ... one must develop, build up and maintain a thick skin ... an essential and ongoing process. 

I can't image being Mr. Homer, sitting down for a cup of coffee at the kitchen table when 
a good friend comes bursting through the back door tossing a "just off the press" newspaper across the table announcing " I'm speechless! I can't believe they can write such ridiculous things! 
Who do they think they are??? How could they write such awful things about you! Don't listen to them!"

Sound advice from a dear friend...  don't you think?

Staying true to your passion can be a road less traveled but you only have one life to live here on earth ....
why not pick up a brush and record it in pictures? 

Until tomorrow,
Peace and blessings,
Linda