As for Artistic Expression:
    There are two ways in which scenes are meant to be
viewed: one is photography, the other painting (and from there the
divisions may extend further–whether a drawing better suits, or
watercolor, oil, etc.). It is rather simple (“simple” is perhaps too
general a word–the notion is more intuitive) to distinguish between
the two functions of Sight. The difficulty comes in portraying the
initial vision in a reproductive “sub-creation”. Sometimes I wish I had
the talent of Sargent–to just sit outside and paint whatever or
whomever came within my range of sight. Sometimes it is so easy to see
how a Vision of something beautiful ought to be put onto a canvas (or,
for some, a print) and yet the frustration with certain inabilities or
imperfection in attaining the completed subproduct is enough to make
one wonder how anyone achieved such products in the first place.
    I would say, first of all, it is a gift–a gift from
God that is free and unmerited–much like many other things in life.
But second, and perhaps equally important, is the necessity for a
passion to train that gift. Left untrained, such inborn talent may
“fust unused” as Hamlet said, and remain dormant an entire life. Caught
hold of and taught, however, any natural talent is bound to grow and
increase and become a means of vocation, or perhaps more for those
destined to greatness.
    All this goes to say….. I cannot wait to get back
to painting with Chris. I am frustrated now with the lack of certain
principles in Sam’s teaching (not that I have not learned….it’s
merely different). This year has been a good experience; nonetheless, I
look forward to what the summer might hold as far as artistic
expression goes.