Looking Through a Folder of "things i want to paint"

In which we explore an aspirational collection of images I wanted to paint in cold wax, but maybe should just serve as a starting point.

I keep a folder of images on my computer called “things i want to paint,” and it’s a random collection of photos I have taken over the years of things I want to paint, but don’t know how, can’t, am too afraid, or am not ready for. Lots of trees, as you might imagine, as well as lots of plants, and lots of foggy and atmospheric conditions. I’ve been thinking about this folder a lot lately wondering if maybe I can actually paint any of these yet. Mostly though, I’ve been looking at them as inspiration for the cold wax paintings.

It’s a bit like looking back at pictures of yourself when you were younger. God I was so young then! Look at my skin, so fresh and smooth. But also it’s funny to think back on my younger self and marvel at the idealism, the dreams, the work put in, and to wish desperately for the problems of my 32 year old self versus the ones I have now. And how did I have so much time back then? And looking at these pictures, I can still feel that fresh-faced idealism, but perhaps time and my work has given me a new perspective.