Artistic License
What’s an Artistic License, you ask? No, it’s not something you get at the DMV—though, in my case, it might have saved a few traffic tickets. In 2003, I was awarded this whimsical yet deeply meaningful certificate from the International Academy of Watercolor Arts. It was signed by the legendary Arne Westerman, who, despite my occasional rule-breaking (or maybe because of it), decided I was worthy of this distinction.
The criteria? Courage to commit feelings on paper, creating powerful shapes by crossing lines (oops), and eliminating distractions (a fancy way of saying, “make it less messy”). It even claims some of my works were “SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED” for exhibition at the Met. Were they? Who knows? But the fact that this license exists means I can’t entirely rule it out.
This honor—both hilarious and humbling—perfectly captures my journey. After all, isn’t art about bending the rules and seeing where the lines lead? Click here to Meet the Artist
