"Tangerine Serene" 5x7" Oil on canvas board

One thing I truly love about painting with a palette knife, is that it forces me to be comfortable with imperfection.  It liberates me from my perfectionism!

Somehow, letting the imperfections flow out allows for so much more creative freedom.  It lets all of the accidents and mess ups happen, which brings out results that I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

I use a perfect geometrical pattern made on a computer for reference when I paint these.  But every single knife stroke is so messed up, and I love it!  It has some charm....the same charm as nature.  

Because nature is imperfect.. every leaf you see on a tree is different, and a little messed up.. when all those little mess ups come together in balance, it has the appearance of perfection, and it feels so peaceful.