I had a rather unique and special opportunity yesterday.  Even though getting into juried shows (Lagoon and Storm Clouds Over The Valley) is still very special to me and being honored with an award (see picture on right) is even nicer, what was quite unique and wonderful about yesterday's SFVAC reception at VIVA Gallery was that the juror, DAVID GALLUP, was generous enough with his time to come and talk to the artists -- both those in the show and those who had pieces that were juried out.  Frankly, I think it took a very conscientious yet self assured person to do this.  I was even more impressed with David Gallup as a person than I already am impressed with his art... and I LOVE his art!  You'll see what I mean if you go to his website:  www.dgallup.com .

Initially I was busy talking to friends, but then I noticed that David was spending a lot of time talking to individual artists, so I sort of lurked around and listened.  He was explaining why he especially liked a certain piece or another and even gave suggestions to artists who had had a piece juried out.   He had written comments about those that had received awards and also about those that had been juried out.  Artists were told that they could request his comments from the show chairperson, but David was also doing it in person.  As I listened, he told a story about a student he had been working with while painting outside en plein air.   A child walked up to the student and asked why she painted.  Later when she recounted the story to David, he asked her what she had said..... "..because it's fun" was her answer.  

He told us that that had gotten him thinking.  Honestly his next statement almost had me want to hug him because he said almost what I was thinking in my head...   These aren't his exact words... just my paraphrasing but here goes:
  .... When I paint outdoors in all the beauty that is around us I feel a part of nature and a sense of spirituality.  I'm not traditionally religious, but seeing and really looking as I paint makes me feel one with the creator of all of that I see........    Although he does do some SERIOUS studio work..  he paints because of the experience he has when he paints outdoors.  Even though David is far more successful than I, and his work is quite wonderful,  I feel just the same when I'm outside painting!     

Why do YOU paint???