Post by Chuck Schroeder

Among the best counsel I’ve received as an artist was Bruce Greene’s admonition, “Just paint those subjects that are of genuine interest to you. That will always be the best use of your time.” As I invested in this portrait of my fascinating cousin, Sue Ellen Owen, living a colorful life in Rome, I felt I checked that box in bold. I never once wondered what someone else might think about it. That’s the best job imaginable for a human being. I hope I can help young people understand the power of that.