A Retrospective Look Volume II: The Artwork of R.L. Oliver

This book is a supplement to last year´s Retrospective Perspectives, Volume I. It includes about thirty more pages and

many more illustrations with accompanying commentary. It has been divided into the major headings of ¨The Garden¨, ¨Trees¨, ¨Abstracts¨ and ¨Portraits¨ as these provide a meaningful description of the content in which I specialize. The reader needs to be aware that this work was done over a period of approximately twenty-five years but always on a sideline basis. Since retiring in 2014, I have concentrated on drawing and painting to the exclusion of any other work, so it is focused and more intense than when I first started to draw and paint. It is hoped that the reader enjoys the content.

From the start, I have used drawing and painting as a way of calming down, concentrating and focusing on settling things around me. By calling them ¨artwork¨ I could make them look as I wanted them to remain. I thought they should speak with my voice and say what I wanted to say. It came natural to me because that was what I wanted. It was just that simple. I still see things that way: there is the passing and there is the fixed. It seems like there was a basic need to draw, paint, and express what was inside. I could organize and put things together on paper or canvas that went together in no other way, at no other time. It was a way out of myself and I took it. At times, it was the best way to do things when was no other way.

I was first inspired by a glossy photo-journal of the early sixties with photographs of Caroline Kennedy on top of a horse. They went together and it all made sense. Her father was highly esteemed but was later shot while riding a convertible in Dallas, but Caroline lives. It makes for a sad story but that is the way that many stories go. One lives and learns.

When I later tried to ride a horse in imitation it ran to the middle of an interstate expressway and stopped in its tracks. I loved horses until I learned they were not all without fault. I found they had a will of their own that was often greater than that of the rider. Regardless, they were often better on paper than in real life. I started drawing with a pencil and charcoal but later graduated to oils paints, acrylics, pastels and finally watercolors. I saved the best for last.

I still search for a permanent beauty, a harmony that may not be there otherwise, and a deep satisfaction when it comes out as I wanted it in the first place. It helps me to keep me away from feeling scattered and pointless, disorganized. Art was good therapy then and is good therapy now. The process still works. I would encourage anyone with the smallest well of desire or need to jump in the water, to get wet. It feels good, and the water is fine.

Over the years, I have found that my pursuit of creating comes only in bursts and spells. There were times when I felt moved to do it. There were times when I had no desire at all. The desire, the passion usually happened only once or twice a year. At times, a drought would come when I mostly twiddled my thumbs and carried on. I never found a way to pursue this interest in the everyday world. Everyone knew that artists starved. Who wants to pursue a trail to starvation?

I think this unfortunate state needs to change. The older I grew the greater was the desire to do images of people and things that mattered most. I think we are all drawn to what is most important in our lives. I hope you are ready to join me in looking back over sixty years of life in service to others in small towns, small cities and finally big cities. I hope you find it enjoyable.