Next time you lookNext time you lookat a painting,at a painting,Here’s somethingHere’s somethingto consider:to consider:

Copyright 2008 Betsy Streeter | www.betsystreeter.com

Somewhere on that canvas,Somewhere on that canvas,Under all that color,Under all that color,Is the first markIs the first markThe artist madeThe artist madeTo get started.To get started.

What do you supposeWhat do you supposeIt looked like?It looked like?

What was the artistWhat was the artistThinking about?Thinking about?

A painting is much more thanA painting is much more thanA picture of somethingA picture of somethingOr someone…Or someone…

It is the story ofIt is the story ofEverything that happenedEverything that happenedBetween the first markBetween the first markAnd the last dab of paint.And the last dab of paint.

So think of the artist,So think of the artist,Standing there,Standing there,

Deciding what to do next.Deciding what to do next.

Maybe some thingsMaybe some thingsGot messed upGot messed upAnd had to be fixed.And had to be fixed.

Maybe some mistakesMaybe some mistakesGot incorporatedGot incorporatedInto the final picture.Into the final picture.

Maybe the paint didn’t mixMaybe the paint didn’t mixVery well that day.Very well that day.

A painting isA painting isA recording of that journeyA recording of that journey

for you to see.for you to see.

The journey may have takenThe journey may have takenOnly a few minutes, orOnly a few minutes, or

It might have takenIt might have takenYears.Years.

Paintings and drawingsPaintings and drawingsAre filled with the lifeAre filled with the lifeOf the artist.Of the artist.

So next time you go to a So next time you go to a museummuseum

And look at a painting,And look at a painting,Or a drawing,Or a drawing,

Or a piece of pottery,…Or a piece of pottery,…

Perhaps the artistPerhaps the artistWill be standing thereWill be standing there

With you.With you.

P.S. Here is a wonderful book about P.S. Here is a wonderful book about painting:painting:

“What Painting Is” by James Elkins.

Thanks for Reading!Thanks for Reading!