People often assume that talent equals joy.

That painting must be relaxing, even

meditative. For me, it’s anything but.

Painting is obsession. It’s love and hate. It’s

staying awake at night, unable to quiet the

emotions that pour into the work.

The truth is, it’s hard. Every finished

painting feels like a battle won. Often I tell

myself,

“Never again, this is too much.

”And

yet the very next day, I return to the

canvas.