If you believe in synchronicity, you will understand why I made this change. I think your interview was one of the most inspiring narratives I have ever read on the world view of an artist!

Like you, I knew I was an artist since I was 11 years old. But, unlike you I did not get focused on serious watercolor painting until about 6 month ago. I went to 4 institutions of higher “learning”: Fullerton Community College, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Art Institute of Design, LA (now in Pasadena, CA) and finally I graduated from Cal State Fullerton.

Like my education the rest of my life was equally eclectic. I was a production artist in St. Paul, MN, a photographer in Orange County, CA, an architectural model builder in Houston, TX, a combat photographer for the US Navy in Viet Nam, a father of two children, a VP creative director for a high tech AD agency in Newport Beach, CA, a Marketing Manager for Syntex (inventors of the birth control pill), a sales agent for Amtrak, a mural painter in Orange County, CA, and for the last half year a watercolor artist. It gives me the hives just to think about it.

6 years ago, I separated from my wife of 28 years, and moved from Lake Forest, CA to Hemet, CA. Google them and you will get some idea of the culture shock I experienced. I gave my wife title to our home and title to everything else I owned, except for my art equipment and a few clothes. It was a good thing. Like you I believe in limited material ballast. I now live on a small VA pension, and live in a home owned by my family trust, and drive a car in my mothers name. I feel free and can paint all day and all night if I feel like it.

I share your interest (passion) for Art History! but you are light years ahead of me in you indexing of historic artists. My hero is Albert Einstein. My favorite quote of his is: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” I am now 64 and vow to live by that motto! My memory works in strange ways, about one tenth the HP of yours.

My favorite historical artists are Leonardo Da Vinci, Rembrant, Monet, Picasso, Winslow, Seargent, Christo, Henry Moore, and many that I know by their work, but not by name. My biggest intellectual accomplishment was earning an A in art history at CAL State Fullerton. It took a great effort!

The only art I ever sold was by commission, I have never sold a painting that was not at a clients request. And I don’t care. I will not cut off my ear or shoot myself. I do wish I had an Art Dealer Brother though! My goal is to become a signature member of the American Watercolor Society before I move on to the next dimension.

I didn’t mean to ramble on, As you can see I am a challenged speller and a chaotic writer. But I am greatly honored to be included on your contact list. I hope we will become fast friends, I would enjoy delving into the philosophy and history of art with you in the future. I am a much better conversationalist, than a writer (you by the way are a talented writer on top of being a masterful painter and draftsman)

My email address is: kenlb@roadrunner.com
My cell phone is: 949-352-4633 (unlimited time!)

I sincerely hope we stay in contact and build a lasting friendship.

Ken