Follow the Leader

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new
— Socrates

The Personal is Political, mixed media on canvas, 60”x90” MG Stout 2022

This piece began with the intention of depicting my time living is Fort Lauderdale. Life in Florida has been an adjustment to say the least. Living in a beach city is a brand new experience for me. They call this place Fort Liquordale for goodness sake. Below you’ll see all the twists and turns this painting took before finally coming together. I’m going to try again to paint another, “My Life in Fort Lauderdale”. Fingers crossed, as I’m never sure where the painting will take me. I don’t fight with the marks and composition, but rather pivot and problem solve.

The first layer of paint. Inspired by the ocean and even incorporates sand.

Mary Gallagher Stout