The Story of Shoosh

"Shoosh I" Oil on Canvas 18"x24"

I thought I would publish this for my LinkedIn friends. Many of you are familiar with this story from my news letter.

The Story of Shoosh

Early mornings I pack up the car with a fresh palette of oil paint, jars of thinner and a few canvas, and head out into the landscape. Along my journey I meet up with cyclists, parents taking their kids to school, coffee drinkers, hotel managers, etc.
As I sat under a Palm Tree painting a church, a father and his kids were playing in the wash emptying Tahquitz Canyon, to my back. I could hear them throwing rocks and doing fun things kids do. As they left the stream, the older boy, about 5 years old, asked his father if he could see my painting. I told the father it was perfectly fine.
What happened next left me speechless. This young man gazed at my work in progress. A big smile swept across his face, he looked me right in the eye with complete understanding, he threw his hands up in the air and exclaimed,"WOW, your paintings have Shoosh!"
And there it was, not some hob nobbin art critic from the New York Times or the LA Times, or the Chicago Tribune, but a five year old with vision and insight years ahead of his time. This boy was able to transcend art theory and in one glance, create....SHOOSH! "That is it," I said, "you get it, finally someone totally and in one word gets what my paintings represent.

Spring

Here in the Sierra Mountains tiny shoots are springing from the forest floor. The oaks are showing a lighter green from their tips in celebrations of the early spring weather. Tiny flowers are appearing in the most unlikely places.

At the first sign of the warmth seeping over the mountain, tubes of paint were loaded into the back off the Toyota and off I drove and hiked to Rush Creek Falls. Somehow in this steep canyon, the south opened up and I was bathed by the cadmium yellow sun, blessing the coming of spring.

When confronted by the power of nature, one can not help but channel that kinetic energy onto the canvas. This blending of man and nature, timeless, enduring and essential can not be found in the studio. Painting from a photo removes the direct contact the canvas has with the natural environment.

Alas, today I am working on a portrait in the studio. Tomorrow, I shall return to the outdoors, drinking in the plein air impressions, like a sweet strawberry milkshake.

Fine Art as Investment

An investment in original art is an investment in contemporary history. An original painting, sculpture, ceramic or glass object can be treasured and handed down through your family for generations? Pick the right piece of art and considerable value may be reaped by your grandchildren or their children.

When my friends grandmother was collecting art in the 1940’s, she had no idea the Man Ray watercolor of a tree she purchased would become so valuable. Her granddaughter proudly displays it in her home and talks about her grandmothers exploits to all who visit.

A beautiful painting or sculpture will never loose value and in most cases will appreciate. Do you want your great grandchildren to have a glimpse of who you were? Purchase a painting they can hang in their house or donate to a museum in your name.

We are glued to the TV watching Antiques road Show. Those artists, whose paintings are now worth tens of thousands of dollars, were purchased by the owners or family members for a fraction of the current value. You can do the same for your family by supporting a local artist.

In today’s financial climate, investors are flocking to art as an investment. Donating art to a local museum can be an important tax shelter for your family. Supporting your local artist is an investment in your community.

Yes, you can purchase a new car, flat screen TV or a fast jet ski for the same price. These things will eventually break and be discarded. An investment in art will last for generations.