Three reasons why artists paint

Why do artists paint?

1.     A painting is a description

There are no words to describe, for example, a mother’s love. We humans perceive a mother’s interest sometimes as overbearing but a foal would not survive without a caring mother. A mother knows instinctively what her child needs. This Paso Fino mother horse, or dam, encourages her baby to stand on its own feet. The baby will soon explore the world and mom will be right at its side to protect and nourish her.  

                            Through a mother's eyes

                           Acrylics on 18x22 canvas

2.     Painting is like reporting

With each of my paintings, I try to explain what I observe. When I saw the newborn foal, I saw a wet slimy creature that didn’t look like a horse at all, with its long clumsy legs and formless long head. When I looked further however, at the mother, I saw pure love in mother’s eyes. It seemed like all she could see was this beautiful fuzzy baby. Her labor pains and I no longer existed. Her eyes, completely focused on the tiny creature that was trying to open its eyes and untangle its legs. She gently nudged her baby to stand up. It was such a magical moment and I was happy to be there to report all this. A camera can capture this moment also but can only capture a slimy baby horse. I was able to capture more by noticing the mother's loving watchful eyes. When we paint, our observation is deeper and we can capture an emotion that a camera will miss.

3.    Painting is our way of communication 

As artists, we communicate what we really see, feel, smell, touch and hear. Therefore, when someone visits a gallery, one can have a very intimate conversation with the artist.  Knowing about  the style, materials, subject and other technical aspects of the artist is just small talk. But closely observing a painting, asking oneself, 'what is the artist really saying about her or himself ?' That is where the real conversation begins… 

My personal reasons why I painted “Through a Mother's Eyes”:

• To keep the memory alive of Presumida, my wonderful friend and a loving mother.
• It was a privilege to have witnessed this miraculous moment and I wanted to share this special intimate moment.

Please check out the animals paintings at Fine Art America where my paintings can be ordered as prints or greeting cards. Thanks for visiting.