It started so innocently. I thought, "Maybe 2 or 3." Just a few so I can say I'd tried it.

I have been a hardcore watercolorist for half my life. That's, like, a quarter of a century. Well, more. I had sworn allegence to the form. To the purity of transparent method. We watercolorists are very snobby that way. But, then again, I guess the same can be said for all artists. We LOVE what we do with a devotion we apply to children, spouses, partners, friends.

I step into my "studio" (I've never had what the movies show as a legitimate studio--yet!), and I can't help jumping up and down like a little kid...which I do more on the inside than on the outside of my body these days. Coiors! Papers! And now--deep breath and try to let it out without panicking--CANVASSES!

To go back to the part where "It started so innocently..." the oil paintings are taking over the WORLD out there in the "studio." I thought I'd just noodle around a bit, not catch on, and give away my few feeble attempts. NOT. The oil paintings are multiplying like bunnies. I never saw this coming. I figured my devotion to transparent watercolor was so deeply ingrained, I wouldn't be able to make the switch. I'm not going to say it's easy, but I am going to say it's happening. 

Every time I tell myself, "Okay, that's enough. Bust out the watercolors and get back to 'real' work," I wake up the next morning going, "Hmmmm, I wonder what would happen if I did this fill-in-the-blanks." And I go out there and try it and go "WHOOP-DE-DOO! That was fun!"

I'm a sinner. I've strayed from the chosen path. I'm a slut. I'm a, well, fill-in-the-blanks. I'm HAPPY. I'm discovering a new lover. Swinging a new way. I'm liking this! Sorry, respectable transparent watercolorists. Gotta be a bad girl.

My space is rapidly being taken over by greasy, messy, fun, stinky, slow-drying, patience demanding oil paintings. Some are BIG. Some aren't so big. But they're different...and addictive.

What's a girl to do?