Before I went to The Art Institute of Boston, my high school Art teacher, Mr. Begonia, gave me permission to raid his art closet. Stupidly, I took some boards, store-stretched canvas and a crap load of acrylic paints. He kept trying to persuade me to take as many oil paints and solutions as I can, but I refused and now, every time I remember the reason to why I refused, I want to put my head inside that art closet and have him slam the door multiple times.
I refused because I was afraid of oil...WHERE DOES IT GET OFF DRYING SLOWLY?!?! At least with acrylics,I could blow a fan on it and Poof! It's dry!!!
But then, of course...Art School comes along and shows the better advantages of oil paints to acrylics.....So when I tackled this medium, I realized Oil painting is one of those talents that when you get an A+ at first try, you know you were tailor made for it (I also realized why Mr. Begonia--after I refused his oil paints offer--looked at me with a smile, shook his head and looked away)
So two nights ago I started an oil painting and after I got through the intimidation of an empty canvas, the ball starts rolling and the joy of the process is intensified by the amount of progress. When I did my..."ok, look away, forget what the painting looks like. Stare at that wall, think of last night's episode of the simpsons......aaaaaand......" look back at the painting, I realized I've finished a lot more in two hours than I originally thought.
and I left the studio with oil paint and a smile on my face.
