Winhall Vermont Apr 20, 2026

After a long cold winter I was ready for a strong pop of color. I found it recently in Winhall, Vermont. The Winhall Market sits tight along Rt 30, at the base of Stratton Mountain Road. I loved the colorful rooftops and the yellow building basking in the warm Spring light that’s now starting to shine.

In his timeless book of painterly wisdom The Art Spirit, Robert Henri describes two different modes of working: Experimentation vs. Expression. I’ve been painting long enough to appreciate the distinction. I love experimenting with paint, learning what it can do and what it can’t. But when it comes to painting a picture, I like to have something specific to say. A strong motive guides artistic expression, informing all the critical decisions made during the painting process.

Henri said; “With motive, you will become clairvoyant of means, will seize and command them. Without motive, you will wobble about.”

When my paintings fail, it’s usually because I was too eager to paint, I lacked a clear motive, and proceeded to “wobble about”. It’s a hard lesson to learn because I still do it, darn it. All is not lost though. Failed paintings are simply recategorized as “experiments”. 

Early in my career I drafted a list of words that describe some of the things I like to express in my art. When considering a new subject I often choose one (or several) to firmly anchor my intentions and help keep me on track. They are an enticing menu of possible motives. My “words to paint by”, along with the elements and principles of design, help establish a solid conceptual foundation on which to build a strong composition and an articulate visual statement.