After 40 years of painting, I find the joy of painting is wanting to create not just put down paint. I find joy in the variation of color and the layering of it. I find joy in thinking of a shape and allowing the brush to do the work. That to me is a far cry from trying to paint things with rules. That is not to say that I do not want to keep in mind warm against cool, dark against light, smooth against texture, light source, guiding of the eye in a painting, perspective, atmosphere, telling a story, point of interest or interests, reflection, and on and on. BUT: I think there is a place that can be reached in painting that can be even further than that. To me it is a God thing, a creative guided thing and that is what I hope and pray for. There is where the joy and even more thankful can be. I know that is not a place where I always am by any stretch, but that is where I want to be. I am so very, very thankful for it all!!! To God Be The Glory