It is nice to see the nod go to the optimistic when discussing a local painter and their work(even with its obvious shortcomings) here rather than the usual 'nihilistic' attitude when addressing painting and every hip young comtempo artist these days who has felt the pressure to re-label or deny the genre of "painting"(like changing to "3-D sculpture" (what?) or throw in some medium from another mother) instead of just doing it-for better or worse. Yes that old, tired, uncool, unworthy, and necessarily avoidable schtick to stay away from if youre "gonna make it". As difficult as it really is-we all know that when its right- and great-it just is. Because you cannot make it that if it isn't-no matter how long you sit and think, how hard you work, or how honest, humble,or self effacing you are-period. There is no manipulation, contrivance, or re-labeling of painting that lasts. That in the end makes it great. If it is-it is-plain and simple-and when the next one arrives-we will all know it. It just likely wont be you...or you...or you, you '3-D sculptor' worshipping that West Elm catalog .
P.S. all those other painters you've denied and cruelly negated here are most likely nice, pleasant people/arists too just trying to figure it out as best they can...jus sayin'