Look, to See, to Remember

This mantra was drummed into my brain by Mr. Joseph Fitzpatrick.  He was a dedicated artist who made it his mission to train young artists in the Pittsburgh area for many decades.  For several years I was privileged to be one of his students.

Mr. Fitzpatrick knew that the power of observation was important for more than drawing an object or painting a picture.  It was a way to process life - to see the good, the bad, and the ugly.  It was important for him to teach his students how to go beyond looking at generalities to seeing the details and to then let those details soak into the brain...and remember. Look at a leaf. Observe the veining, the edges, the color, the sheen. Or look at the sky and notice how the atmosphere affects the color from the horizon upward. He taught his students to study not only the micro, but the macro perspectives as well.

Then he took his mantra on step further. Enjoy. Enjoy the observation, the study, the practice, the entire creative process.

Look, to see, to remember...to enjoy!