Hi everyone!!!

Retiring is such a weird word. To retire, to be retired, re tired???

Yes, after 32.5 years of teaching painting, drawing and the occasional art foundations class I’m hanging that part of my life up. Wilbur and the kids often heard me proclaim it to be an ideal job. It was. I could never have imagined a better one. For the majority of my academic career I was encouraged by colleagues and administration to do what Joseph Campbell proclaimed as the secret to a happy life, “Follow your bliss!” I did this every step of the way all the time, even when I was chair.

Here’s the catch with that idea though. To “follow ones bliss” you also have to bring everyone along with you! I mean what is bliss if everyone else is miserable???

Of course it didn’t always work. One of the things I’ve learned about teaching art is that you can only invite people along. They still have to do the hard work that any meaningful journey entails.

But I tried.

My favorite part of teaching was watching the light go off in a students head. I could always see it in their face and feel it emanate from their body. I loved that. I also LOVED bothering students. I loved being irritating and getting obsessed with uncomfortable questions. I’ll miss that the most.

To all of my former students that happen to read this. Thank you. I know that a majority of you probably never touched a brush again. I didn’t want to make you a painter, or even an artist. I only wanted to invite you along on the particular quirky path that a life well lived traverses.

If you HAVE found yourself continuing to paint I wish you well. Understand that I have nothing invested in your vision. I only opened the door a crack, you had to push it hard and stumble through. You did it all yourself and you owe me nothing. Well done!

Here is my prayer for you. I hope your voice is strong, your vision clear and your hand is steady.