I started this painting to be in my usual style, but the left half reminded me of Diebenkorn's Ocean Park Series, so I went with it. The finished image is far superior to what you see here. The camera angle was so skewed that even Photoshop couldn't remedy it.
The 'free at last' refers to my retirement. I quit my day job. Granted it was just one day a week, but still. I was a sales clerk in the Art League's Supply Store. It was a great job. I loved my boss, interacting with other artists, learning from some, teaching others. Most of the customers were great. But after 15 years, clerkdom has lost its glamour. And I really hated fighting rush hour traffic.
So what will I do with this new freedom? As it happens, nothing good. I cracked my patella (spontaneously) last week. No surgery required, just 6 to 8 weeks in a 30" brace. Walking, or rather galumphing, with it for one day skewed my back. Shortly after I am released from the brace, I am having a total ankle replacement. Months of recovery, I'm told.
At least I won't be stuck in beltway traffic on my ankle scooter.
