Brian,

It is interesting and encouraging to read of your desire to communicate a fuller range of emotions through your art and the written word as well.
I have been feeling that same sort of need to express more in my own paintings, and have come to a similar conclusion - that figurative work is the direction I want to head. I've been practicing, but haven't felt quite brave enough to put any of it "out there" yet.
I look forward to seeing where this new direction leads you - your work already expresses quite a bit. Go for it!

Brian, I can so relate to your journey. You are an old soul....and I am so looking forward to your new direction,and can only imagine it to be as wonderful
as all your past work.After all it is done by the same soul! kp

I think you are definitely relating to many artists. I am primarily a landscape and still life painter. In my past I worked also as a silversmith and a sculptor as well as painting. Whoever said "focus" may not have had the correct answer for every artist. We are many-faceted beings but it takes courage to step out of one's 'norm' which may have become a 'rut'. I heard God impress in my heart many years ago, "kick the ends out of your rut before it becomes a coffin". I am on the precipice of doing just that again!

I like this stuff. I was expecting the poem to include the possibility of a "leap" at the end, because that''s how I experienced something similar when I was writing years ago -- for me it came across as the choice between a leap into the rocky waters or a turning away and accepting of the kindness of strangers. I feel compelled to advise being careful how far you go spiritually alone into the depths, though -- although maybe artists are specially protected -- even "old souls" have been known to get lost out there.

The biggest problem that most of us "artists" have is filling our bank account.



My advice is to follow your deep feelings and work them out. You can probably also continue doing the work you sell while also exploring new boundaries inside. If you have sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of work you should have at least a years worth of money to change yourself into another artist.



The biggest limitations are the ones you place on yourself. I think a lot of artists go through that nagging what else? feeling. It is that deep down stuff that makes each of us individual in the end perhaps over a lifetime or as a collective of connected artists living in one time frame out of many time frames.



Listen to it, follow it, and work with it. Don't forget you can always go back to the way you were but you will never know what that nagging deep down feeling is unless you explore it.



Jason Leisering

Thanks to you all for your comments. Much appreciated. You too, Jeff. ;^)



More than anything I have felt like I've been working through a sieve. I need to put more of myself into my work...and going more with figures and faces should help me to do that. And the poetry here and there when it does come, should enhance understanding as well...I hope. Just going for a greater intensity overall.



There actually is quite a *human* element in the seascape, though. Being on that cliff drew that out. Hope to explain further in the full version when it is posted.

I have and expect to do that at some point. Just not right now. One thing I am working on, though, and hope to be able to post here is audio descriptions of my paintings and motives behind them. If all goes well, you'll be hearing me speak about them.  Perhaps I'll even read some of my poems and record and post those.

Just want to say how much I enjoy your work and I am intrigued by this new direction you are headed. The uncertainty of the unknown adds a sense of adventure. Based on your track record I'd say you are contiunously looking for greater things not only to paint, but in life, also. I am confident you will get there and I'm glad we (those who admire your work) have the privilege of following along. Thanks for your encouragement.

Beautiful work Brian. Truly. Stay on this path, it seems to fit you well.

Brian,
As an Artist I understand your feelings. For one I could sense the underlying emotion even in your landscapes. "I'm trying to reach that place
that is suspended in a moment - the essence."

In that I think you were successful, but I know
that inner feeling that you want to put out there thru your art. As a painter I have always felt the same way, but have often resisted the urge to do so. Often it was for monetary reasons
or fear that changing my direction might put off collectors

Kudos to you for showing the courage to do so.

Arnie Levine.