"Notice"

(unavailable......6" x 12"......Oils on 300 lb. HP.....Mounted on a 2.00" depth Clayboad)

"Noticing the small things gives order to the larger things." Paying attention to the small details in a process or in the habits of daily living will always help facilitate the larger things of life.

Most of the things I've learned in art have been from observing or noticing the small things that were happening during the process. For instance, I've noticed that the pressure imposed on the palette knife while dragging the paint across the surface makes a big difference in the the outcome.

It might help to write these observations down by keeping an art journal. These notations will keep them alive for you because you will not remember what you observed or did (6) months from now. Writing down a process that has worked for you immediately after it happens will ensure that you can repeat it again.

I have kept art journals for several years and it is always interesting to go back and look at some of the examples and written instructions. It will often prompt a technique for a new piece. It is not necessary to start at square one every time you try to create a piece, but by carefully building on knowledge learned from the last piece, you will soon find yourself making significant progress. And there you have it...just a few more things to think about.