Robert Wood's Artistic Philosophy

Natural appearances, tempered by esthetic selection, but notdistorted, tell the truth with pencil and brush.

Composing and organizing natural forms into an expression - that is art.

One should not conflict actualities in nature with artistic representation; it is the essence of the thing more than the thing itself.

The trite, annoying question: "How long did it take you to paint that picture?" My usual answer: "Fifty years." Another one: "Where is that exact spot?" By the time you have rearranged nature to make a composition, that exact spot has not been distorted or lied about, but composed to make a pleasing picture. Ond does not make a slavish copy of nature. If that is the desire then get a camera.

Now, let's go on a painting jaunt. We can stay in the confines of this beautiful America. What do other countries have that we do not have? The Alps, we have them; desert, mountains and rivers or lakes. Spring flowers - nowhere could you find more brilliant and radiant hues in the autumn than we have in so many states. How about a little piece of the Grand Canyon, one of a thousand choice painting areas in beautiful Arizona. California has simply too much, but choose your spot. Texas, I lived and painted in that dear old state for seventeen years and have not yet had my fill. The great Northwest - Mt. Ranier, Mt. Hood, Three Sisters, right down the line to Mt. Shasta. Colorado, with many peaks over 14,000 feet. The Smokies, so paintable. The New England states, many of you could fill in for me. Each one of our fifty states. Hawaii? You will become dizzy if I keep on but wherever you are you get out your paint box and capture what is around you. Do not take yourself too seriously, or your painting either, and both will turn out much better. The pleasure and sunshine should be your greatest reward.

by Robert Wood
courtesy Walter Foster Art Books