For years, I felt that successfully completing a work of art was ninety-nine percent perspiration, that it was my responsibility to hang in there no matter what it took. In other words, determination and hard work. Let’s face it, making a success of even one single painting is nothing but agonizing mental suffering…but then again, as artists, we are so critical of ourselves.

The ingredient is simple. We’ve all heard it; it’s called desire. I’ll put it another way in a question you have to ask yourself passionately when starting a painting. Ask this: “How bad do I want it?” When you think about it, the question is very powerful. Handled properly, it is a driving force.

You have seen the painting you are attempting to paint many times in your mind (in your muse). At some point in your progress, if your painting isn’t quite getting to where your muse sent you, ask again, “how bad do I want it?’ All throughout your progress, ask again: “How bad do I want it?” And again (but even more passionately) ask: “HOW BAD DO I WANT IT?” Again I repeat, It is called desire. It is the fuel that has inspired millions. Ninety-nine percent perspiration dwindles beneath the weight of passion and desire. Perspiration is important, but it is but a shadow in comparison. Let there be no limits to win. If you are a true artist, every painting is a seduction of love. Determine to do battle for your love object if you must. In your mind of minds, in your soul of souls, passionately determine to win at all costs. You will find there will never be a turning back point once you have started…AND THAT MY FRIEND, IS CALLED DESIRE.