A Painter’s Take on Creative Storytelling
As a painter, I’ve always believed that every brushstroke tells a story. But lately, more than ever, I’ve come to realize that storytelling isn’t confined to the canvas. It’s woven into every aspect of a creative life.
For me, that life includes writing, filming, photographing, and imagining the story behind a painting long before the first line is drawn. It all intersects. It’s all art. The story is simply the narrative under the painting—the invisible scaffolding that gives it weight.
I wrote about the creative hum in another post, and it resonates again here. As artists, we express ourselves in many forms, often at once. The hum is that quiet, persistent force that keeps us dreaming, building, and creating.
Apparently, it was loud enough this past weekend for Lisa to hear it too.
The New Chapter
This week, I made an exciting purchase: a camera for my wife, Lisa. It’s not just another addition to my gear closet—it’s the start of a new chapter for us. One where we explore and document the world together. One where our individual voices blend into a shared story.
In my work, every color, texture, and composition is a choice steeped in meaning. Now, with Lisa alongside me, we’re adding a new layer to that story—one told through her lens and my brush.
What I envision is this: we take on small adventures.
Blog posts. Sketches. Snapshots. Videos. A painting or two.
Not polished content for content’s sake—but artful memories that carry the fingerprint of both our perspectives.
Why Now?
After nearly 32 years of marriage, you might wonder: Why now? Why not sooner?
Truth is… I don’t have a great answer.
Lisa says she’s always been willing to help—maybe I just never asked the right question.
But late Sunday night, in one of those passing, half-mumbled studio moments, I said something like:
“I wish I had someone to help me film these videos…”
And she just looked up and said, “I can help.”
Like a dumbass—classic me—I had an epiphany.
Why didn’t I think of that before?
I teach people how to take better photos. I get asked all the time what camera to recommend. I’ve even hired help when I needed it. Meanwhile, she was right there—waiting to be asked.
The truth is, I didn’t think she was interested. But she was. And thankfully, we figured that out before more time passed.
Now, with the Sony a6700 and that sharp little 10–18mm f/2.8 zoom, paired with my existing gear, we’ve got the makings of a storytelling duo I would’ve killed to have on more than one shoot in the past.
What Comes Next
So stay tuned.
Because we’re just getting started.
Together, Lisa and I are setting off on a new path—blending photography and painting, road trips and reflection, YouTube and quiet cups of coffee—with stories that are sometimes messy, sometimes funny, always real.
After all, the best stories?
They’re the ones we create together.
