Painting in Studio

A photo of me painting in my studio in the Livestock Exchange Building, Kansas Ctiy.

Vivian Maier

John Sloan in his book Sloan on Drawing and Painting said on page 26, “The idea of taking up art as a calling, a trade, a profession, is a mirage. Art enriches life. It makes life worth living. But to make a living at it – that idea is incompatible with making art.”

James Krenov in his book A Cabinetmaker's Notebook said on page 126, “There is at present a tendency to depict craftsmen as “let's-work-and-sing-together” people. Something like the Seven Dwarfs. But most good craftsmen work by themselves, doing all their own work. So, if you are a loner, you and your work are different from most. Accept that and be glad.”

Why do men fish? A few fishermen advance to fishing only with flies they tie themselves with barbless hocks and release every fish unharmed immediately. For them it's not for food on the table.

My guess is that Vivian Maier got the satisfaction she wanted from capturing the moment. Vivian's success as an artist would have been diminished if she had got into the detraction of showing her work. The rest of us just got lucky to see her life's work. Vivian Maier

Trout Fishing at Roaring River

The first time Dale and I went trout fishing was at Roaring River State Park east of Cassville, Missouri. The afternoon before we had stopped by Tim's Fly Shop to get some pointers. We were spin casters. Tim, a real fisherman, said to start with a dark rooster tail for the first 10 minutes, switch to red for ten minutes, and then switch to salmon eggs. Use 2 pound test. Get there early. We were ready.

Arriving at ten to 6 in the morning, we went to buy our tags and get a hot cup of coffee to go. It was October and it had frosted over night. We could see our breath. We went to the river bank below the lodge and took our place between a father with a young boy and an old timer wearing overalls. As 6:30 drew near the river bank was lined shoulder to shoulder with fishermen. Everyone stood at the river bank patiently waiting for 6:30 AM.

We could see fish! I knew the fishing was going to be good. The anxiety of waiting for 6:30 was getting to me. My watch said 6:29. I asked Dale what time he had. He had 6:30. No one made a move. Everyone was silent. My watch reached 6:30. Still no one made a move.

Dale made a cast. I followed. A strike! Dale had a strike. A first trout. It broke water and was gone. I had a strike and missed. A second strike and missed. He was back. A third strike and I had him hocked. I reeled him in on two pound test. And then within 2 yards of my feet--the line broke. He was gone.

And still no one made a move. Everyone was patiently waiting! What was going on with these people? Just then the old man to our right took a pipe from his mouth, exhaled smoke slowly, and said, "You boys aren't from around here, are you?" Just then a long loud siren blew. Everyone else made their first cast.

Texas Longhorn Cattle Kansas City West Bottoms

Two Texas Longhorn cattle graze the grounds of the old Knasas City stockyards in Kansas City West Bottoms.

Moving into New Studio

I have been moving into a new artist studio space in the Livestock Exchange Building in Kansas City. It's a great space and overlooks Kemper in the West Bottoms.

Storm at Palo Duro Canyon

A storm is comming to Palo Duro Canyon. One night I was camping there there was a flash flood that trapped some campers on the other side of high water.

Stone Sits At Top of Red Clay Pillar

In Palo Duro Canyon stones sitting on top of pillers of clay soil show evidence of centuries of errosion and layers of soil. Typical of the southwest landscape. Palo Duro Canyon is just south of Amarillo, Texas and is reported to be the second deepest canyon in the United States.