Psssst... here's the secret to why I paint what I do

My students often ask me how I know what I want to paint. They also say that they don't like to paint the same thing over and over. I am then reminded of this quote: "Write what you know," which is attributed to Mark Twain. I have read different opinions about the quality of his advice over the years and have come to believe that it is sound counsel. I also think that it can transfer to painting. Read on to see what I mean. 

"Illuminated," 20x20 inches, Oil on Canvas, ©Lynn Goldstein Inspired close to home

Think about it. Many of us are fascinated by other cultures. Personally, I am inspired by travel and seeing the unfamiliar.

​That said, I believe that my most successful paintings evoke a feeling stimulated by being in a specific spot, and I find it most easy to express those emotions when painting something that is deeply entrenched in the core of my being. 

My morning walk. Do you see how my work is inspired by the familiar? 

We all find our peace in different places. My balance is always found in and among the trees and around water. Therefore,  inspiration from my frequent walks finds its way into my work, whether I am in my home of Virginia or in distant locations as in the painting below. 

So if you are looking for your next idea of what to create, look no further than your own backyard. You may be surprised by the wealth of inspiration to be found there. 

​When you look at the video that I have posted here, what do YOU see that is a common thread in my work? If you were going to emphasize something in the scene, what would you choose? Let me know in the comments below. 

"Path to River," 20x16 inches, Pastel, ©Lynn Goldstein Inspired by a location in southern France