Growing pains

[Anthony Emmolo]

Over the past year and a half I've finally succeeded in supporting myself almost completely with my artwork. It took many years of effort. It has finally paid off.

For the most part I feel very good about this, but there is one painful area that I thought I'd ask about. Do you other artists still have many days where your results appear as if you've never painted before?

I'm assuming there are a number of yeses out there. So, my next question is about the way you deal with the pains of seeing your own weaknesses.

A couple of days ago I spent the morning in the studio only to wipe out most of what I did by the end of the morning. Then the next day I had to rework the painting and pull it out of the mud. I say mud literally beause the colors were muddy.

I look at artists like David Leffel who seem to go from start to finish without having to correct or rework, and I feel sick. Am I naive about the troubles they go through?

My own answer to my question is the motto I've used for many years: "patience and persistence." Any other thoughts out there?

Thanks in advance.