"Rapids at Salmon La Sac", 8 x 10", Oil, 2009
High Country Artists Plein Air Competition, August 2009, Ambiance of Kittitas County Award (Best of Show).

I love it when the painting paints itself and wins an award.  I think for half an hour that I can die happy.  Then I become anxious--because past performance may not be indicative of future results.  I don’t want to have to live up to that painting.  I’d rather have the good painting just around the next bend.  So then I have to reorient myself to my work ethic.  Go back and start practicing scales again.  Think about what I need to learn-- remember what Rilke said:  “If the Angel deigns to come it will be because you have convinced her, not by tears but by your humble resolve to be always beginning; to be a beginner.”