I have not gotten around to painting anything new lately, so here is a painting from a quite a few years back.
I realize that I kind of disappeared for a few months, and here is why….A few years after graduating in 2003 with my degree in fine art I decided to go back to school and work toward another goal - to become a doctor. I have recently been involved in the application process for admission, and have flown to three different states for interviews. A few weeks ago I was accepted to a medical school in the Midwest and will be moving there in July with my family.
What does this mean about my art? This part I am not sure about. I am still trying to get new work for a few shows I will be involved with this spring, but when med school starts I don’t know how much I will be able to produce. Certainly ‘the man who chases two rabbits catches neither’ applies here. I imagine it is quite possible to still paint small paintings while still in school, but it is also possible that new work may not surface much. My friend Lane Bennion actually went to medical school as well to get his degree in medical illustration and he had time to paint while there. So, I guess we will see.
Thank you to everyone who has given me support and followed my work! Art will always be a big part of my life, but it may have to go into hibernation for a bit.
So, that is what has kept me out of the studio, and I hope to get in there again soon.
Monday, November 16, 2009
"Takin' my Time"
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43 comments:
I really love your artwork and I reading this really inspired me. I am currently working towards my BFA in Illustration, but my goal in life was to be a doctor as well. I didn't know if I would be able to do both. You taking that journey is really inspiring to me :) good luck!
Wow Aaron! How incredibly exciting.
It may well be hard to chase both dreams, but I hope that you keep on painting, or drawing, as you are one of my favorite artists.
Congratulations. Where in the midwest are you heading? I teach English and Psychology in a Pre-Health
college program geared to getting kids ready to go on to study in a medical field. I will tell them your story.
Meanwhile maybe you could switch the focus of your blog, and write about the experience when you can't paint.
All the best to you and your family in this adventure. Good for you.
Take care,
Barbara
congrads on the new direction, wow. I have been wondering where you have been. I hope you do not give up posting at least some small paintings, I love your remarkable style. Best wishes on such a huge change in direction, moving, more study...
Thanks for the comments. Ashley, it is certainly a tough road, but it can be done. I have had more than one science professor raise their eyebrow and say, "You majored in what?". Feel free to email me if you have any Q's.
Barbara, that is a good idea on how to change up my blog. I think I will maybe give that a shot.
Sandra, I do hope to post some paintings, even while in school. Like I said, art will always be part of me. Thanks.
Keep on painting,Aaron, and good luck with your new direction!
First of all, I am happy for you, and your family, Good luck with your new direction! I am sure you will be a very sensitive, intelligent doc someday. We need more of those! But for me now, I will miss your postings, I found them to be very inspiring. Your color sense is very interesting, and your approach to painting objects as compositional shapes. I really love your paintings!
a little painting talk.... what colors did you say you use on your palette? I am trying to get going on my blog again, I got distracted with some other things too for the past months... painting discussion helps me get back on it, to feel inspired again.
Aaron - I have missed your posts and am full of admiration for the exciting career leap you are taking. I am a full-time accountant who "dabbles" in painting. From experience I can tell you that switching sides of your brain from the analytical to the creative is a process that will take some practice, but when you find your way, your art will provide a peaceful refuge.
Your new experiences will doubtlessly have an impact on how you view the world. Perhaps some of your edges will soften... I hope you will continue to share them with all of us.
Good luck!
SO that's where you went!
It warms my heart to think of an artist/doctor. The sensibilities you will bring to patient care.
I am lucky to have the most wonderful doctors. A husband and wife team. He's the physician and she's a Registered Nurse practitioner along with several other APRN's in his practice. Since she does the female care, I see her pretty much exclusively now. Fortunately, I am healthy and only have maintenance care, but I love them and feel so incredibly lucky to have them.
I remember the first time I saw Dr B and he asked me lots of questions about me and my life in general. Took time. Very genuine. So unusual that I was taken aback.
They never rush and are not overbooked.
I love your paintings and will look forward to your posts. Your color sense, composition and brushwork are inspiring!
Good luck with all the hard work ahead, Aaron.
Aaron, Congratulations, I am sure that you will be just as talented in medicine as you are in art! Best wishes to you, for every success that you dream of! Your art work is so outstanding and so unique! As you know, I've missed your blog posts. Hopefully. you will still be able to fit in a few painting sessions in your busy schedule! I'll look forward to seeing your new work when the time is right! Wishing you the best of everything!
Congratulations, Aaron! This is so exciting for you! Best of luck in your studies. Practice medicine with the same sensitivity as you paint. You'll be great!
I want you to know that having your paintings pop up on my email helped me to keep my head above water during a very difficult couple of years. My own artwork was on hold while I cared for my dying parents, and your paintings were such a bright spot for me and your honesty in commenting on your work was so touching. You were my lifeline. Thanks for sharing yourself with others.
Medical school sounds like a terrific challenge.... So many of us will miss your paintings...I have felt quite close to you since you are relatively close geographically. So when you disappeared, I was concerned. Now I am very glad you and your family are OK. I will cheer for your success in your new venture.
Good luck in your schooling. I'm sure you will be as great a dr as you are painter; and enter your new field w/ compassion and joy.
Very quirky arrangement. I like it.
Congratulations and kick ass!
Hey Steve, thanks for the comment. You all should check out his work.
Cathleen, your question gave me a good idea for a post. So my next entry I will talk about my palette, thanks.
Linda, I hope I can find that balance between the two worlds. Thanks for your comment.
Mary, it sound like you have a great health care team-you are definitely lucky for that. My doctor is a good guy, but he always acts like he is in a rush.
Thanks Nancy. I hope I can get some good quality time in the studio up until I leave in the summer. I plan on trying to paint at least a few times a week till then.
Hiho, thank you for your comment. Very touching, Thank you.
Marilyn, Thanks for your concern. I really should have posted sooner, but I was just so anxious waiting to see if I was going to be accepted. My wife is from Idaho, and we will be up there this Thanksgiving. Go Idaho.
Pam, thank you. I hope so.
Charles, I was, and still am, interested in how things interacted with each other. I also try to find geometry and patterns whenever I paint. Thanks for your comment.
Dogimo, as always, thanks!
I am so sad. I absolutely love your work and have been missing your posts.
Wow, medical school.. now your style makes sense..all those bold decisive strokes...perhaps a surgeon? Best wishes on your new journey and I'm sure you will find the time to work your art in here and there.
Onward! And only the best!
Thanks Jesse, I will be trying to paint as much as I can before school starts. Keep looking.
Jennifer and Lisa, Thanks.
I like your style and will miss your art.Please, keep posting. If you don't paint, share your thoughts on your new experiences. All the best in med school!
Aaron, I am a huge fan of your art, but you must follow your heart. I know you'll be a fabulous doctor, and wish you the best. Good luck, and keep us informed of your journey!
This is a beautiful painting. I'll miss seeing your work regularly, but boy, med school? That's exciting. I worked in high tech 20 years before going back to art. You can always come home.
Good luck, I have really enjoyed looking at your paintings, and will miss a regular update.
How about self-publishing the best in a book?
Hello Aaron!....I have visited your wonderful site for quite a long time via Frank Gardner's site...from a distance really. I have enjoyed the clarity of your image-making... with its simplicity and wonderfully confident brushwork.
The "second rabbit" will certainly give "You"...a run for your money... but if "You" pursue it with the same passion as your "Art" the result will be the same... for "You"... your family...and your lucky future patients.
I taught school for over thirty years... and was able to always keep my Art "rabbit" in view. Now in (non)retirement... I paint daily... own my own gallery and revel in the warmth of the two paths that my "rabbits" led "Me".
Good luck!....and DO keep Barbara's wonderful idea of a parallel blog in mind!
Much Peace and Happiness,
Bruce Sherman
Stunning, great work!1
wish you all the success and satisfaction in everything you do.
Hi Aaron!
Like so many of your other fans, I too am saddened that you will be spending less time on art--you are very gifted and your paintings are strikenly beautiful. I am so happy that I purchased your lovely painting "Rolling" last January, and I still absolutely love it. I wish you the very best in your new journey into medicine, and no doubt your analytic mind and keen sensibility will assist as you become a very fine physician. Congratulations on getting into medical school--it is so very competitive. I will hope and pray that your experiences in medical school and beyond are fulfilling, and that you are able to revisit the art world so that we may catch a glimpse into your newfound interpretation of the world around you. "May the wind be always at your back".
Best of luck in your new direction. Luckily, every doctor I've met says painting is much harder than being a doctor! So you ought to breeze through...! Seriously, your work is evidence of a very keen mind and warm heart and it's so wonderful that you want to share yourself in the healing arts.
Thank you for being an artistic inspiration to so many, including me. Have a beautiful like.
Congratulations and good luck Aaron, we will miss you and your wonderful art. You must be an incredibly talented person. Do you have any paintings left that you want to sell?
I've really enjoyed your paintings through your blog! You've chosen an admirable path and I hope you excel!
Blessings to you,
Eric
Hi Aaron,
Thanks for linking to my art blog! I wish you all the best with your change of career path (I have 3 nephews all at medical school here in the UK and their Dad is a GP!) Good for you!
BUT make sure you keep painting!!!!
God bless, Cat Salter
Congratulations and best of luck.
Man, I wish you would come back Aaron. I miss seeing your work. But I understand, I gotta work for the man to pay my bills too. My mortgage company doesn't accept "kind words" for payment either.
i hope you get this aaron - i'm passing on the sunshine award to you and i know the timing probably stinks but i've always loved your work and it looks like med school is working out since you're not doing too much blogging - my hubby's an ER doc so i know what you're going through but hopefully you'll keep painting!!! check out my blog for details. p.s. i live in indiana - are you someplace near?
Aaron: You are missed. I miss seeing new work from you very much. Good luck pursuing your other interests.
MUITO BOM !!
VERY GOOD!!
CELSO MATHIAS
RIO - BRASIL
I really love your art, talk about a right brain left brain guy. Your art will always be there for you when you need a break it will call to you.
I'd say stay with art you have the gift, but do what you gotta do. I'm just pissed ZI never bought a painting form you. ;-)
You're a fabulous painter. I can't help but think your sensitivity as an artist will make you a compassionate doctor. The world need more people like you. Hope you are doing well, Aaron>
In your honour and in honour of all the Illustrators and Painters, I published
an illustration.
really great work
Painting and Medical Science? Unique and lethal combo!'
Great art!
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