I believe in copying from the masters. When I teach my students about copying from the masters I always get inspired to chose my own. This time around I found "Jimson Weed" by Georgia O'Keefe and couldn't resist. I already had a canvas ready to go that I had prepped for a different painting many years ago. And then it sat there gathering dust. Now it hangs in my entryway and gets so much attention. I will have a difficult time parting with this one, but I can always do it again---right? Probably won't though because there are so many other masters I want to learn from. I've done several of Georgia's.

When I got married in 1982 and began setting up my own home, I made the decision to only buy art from artists I knew personally. There is too much out there that is beautiful, and my home was tiny. I've stuck to this decision, and have made many many artist friends. Now my goal is to trade with, or purchase an original painting or artwork from the many friends I've made. Birthdays and Christmas gifts are always about trading original work. And my home now looks like an Art Gallery. Especially with my 'Copy a Master' collection that spans the over 20 years I've taught drawing and painting.

It may be time to accept commissions that involve copying a master!