Another strangely optimistic painting in the studio. I have been obsessively listening to news podcasts and watching just about every other news source on television. It always feels like the end of days and just seems to get worst. I don’t have much faith in the human animal… but here is a bit of visual hope.
It really feels like the end of days still the sun is shining. My modest 401k has gone away even as the snow turns back to ground. Finance and health aside the stretching days are filled with light. Thankful this didn’t happen in the darkened depths of Fall.
In my life I have felt like a negative soul. Still it seems the act of creation is an act of optimism.
I have never been an optimistic person. In grade school, learning vocabulary, the teacher asked us if we were optimists or pessimists. A girl I had eyes for said, “Oh, we are both optimists.” She was a bit smarter than I was, but as she explained the difference, I knew she was horribly mistaken.
For some odd reason, I am filled with an unrealistic optimism for the new year. I am making my living painting, it’s not easy. My days are only getting shorter, never mind. I have a vision for my work, mastery of my materials. For the first time in my life I know my greatest work is ahead. I am excited to make it.
I hope you all find passion and meaning in 2019.
brian sostrom 