Michele Guttenberg “I Don’t Want To Talk About It” oil on board, $350.00

I have been painting for at least 40 years.  I love it.  I am self-taught and think sometimes that it a good thing for me.  I found school quite difficult. Doing what I was told seemed impossible.  It was the same way in art class.   I decided toteach myself.  I had a few mentors along the way.  My brother Steven was a huge influence.  He would explain how todo things while we were on the phone.  Like “draw what you see not what you think you see”.  I say this to my students today.  For quite a few years I drew faces in graphite and charcoal.  I was amazed at myself.   I then met a cousin of my ex-husband’s who painted in watercolor.  I was enthralled.  She gave me some time and pointers and I was off to the races.  It was great.  I began to feel confined by the size of the watercolor paintings. This time I had no one to turn to, so my husband and I both took a journey to teach ourselves to paint in oil.Over the years I became more proficient, and was able to teach others.  It blows me awa.  One thing prevailed.  I always painted people.  Portraits sometimes,  but most often it was people doing everyday things.  There are endless human situations to explore, and if I live long enough, maybe I can cover quite a few.______________________________________________________________________