[Garth Herrick]

Tom,

Thanks so much for a really insightful and helpful reply. I am in agreement with you in my current evolution. I have used and explored many useful transfer tools and methods without shame or regret. They have helped me to grow and mature and interestingly, become less reliant upon them over time. But I feel I have gained so much from their use and exploration.

Feeling more securely grounded, I am not using much in the way of "tools" at the moment, and feel good about that too. I still reserve the right to use all or any if I wish, though. Tom, as you say, being less rigid and specific in the start of a painting is more freeing, and opens up possiibilities of better expression. I think we are doing something similar at this point.

I still can't resist rechecking my hand and eye from time to time. There always are corrections to make through the refinement and development of a painting, and being less specific and rigid in the beginning helps to make the inevitable corrections and revisions easier to absorb and flow into the structural context of the painting.

Again, thanks for your experienced insights!

Garth