This was my first attempt at a "plein aire" watercolor. It's so simple, it's pathetic, but I was under duress (lol). I had gone down to the lake to see the sunrise, and hadn't counted on the black flies. I splashed a few colors on the paper and almost ran back home. Every time this painting pops up, I find myself reliving that morning and liking it more and more for the memory.

I have a lot of paintings like that. They visually remind me of moments that go back as far as 1983, when I did my first portraits in oil. Looking at my collection, I can remember where I was at the time, who I was with, and what my life was like. I made my living as a house painter, but there were always times when I would turn to art and settle into a more relaxing pastime. I wasn’t interested in making money as an artist, and rarely sold anything I did, but I gained something more rewarding; the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the time spent alone, and the peaceful flow of artwork. I paint less often these days. My age has slowed me down, and I have become more mindful of how quickly time is passing, so I have been spending more of it in the company of my family and friends, and find that being a grandfather suits me just fine.

I’ve written stories about growing up in northern New Jersey when it was still considered a rural area, and published them as a collection on Amazon.  A few of my favorites have also been added here on the Stories page.

Thank you for your interest. My email address is: skipvanlenten@gmail.com.