This is a view of Palumbo Park next to The Fleisher Art Memorial in South Philadelphia. The view
is from the fire escape outside of the fourth-floor classroom in which I have often taught a drawing class. I got
to Fleisher a little early for the class and painted this painting as the sun set and the sodium vapor
lights came on in the park.
This is a small painting and it only took about 45 minutes to paint. People often ask how long it
takes me to paint something, as if the value or merit of the painting is based on time — as if
the longer it takes to paint the better or more valuable the painting. I often make great discoveries
and growth when I am forced to paint quickly due to time constraints — like my class starting, or
changes in light, like the sun setting. This forces me to make gutsy decisions, trust
my instincts as a painter, keep it simple, and not get fussy with details. Often the results are
satisfying, but if the painting does not come out at least I did not spend weeks working on it.
My other response to the "how long" question is that I have been painting for 15 years and drawing for
even longer; it is all off that experience that goes into the painting. The painting itself may not
take a long time to paint because I already know how to use the materials and I know how to
draw. So, how long does it take to make a painting? A lifetime of experience.
