It’s this mystery that means I’m in it for the long haul.

I find I can make an analysis, post painting, about why one piece can be considered working and another not. I do this sometimes in a matter of fact way, because I find the kind of fake romantic view of the artist and the bolt of lightning inspiration idea kind of irritating. I tend to think that visual triggers and irresistible juxtapositions in the work are really what we respond to.

That said, when something is really working, in maybe the pieces that seem to happen without our permission, our most “successful” pieces, there is a stage that is much greater than the sum of the parts and it’s a relief when those arrive to remind us why we return. Possibly.