You Won't See The Forest For The Trees.

This is all about taking a step back and taking a real look at all that's around you. The title "You Won't See The Forest For The Trees." is a common saying that basically means you are too close to the situation to really see what's going on...you can't see the big picture, because you are too involved with the small stuff...

This painting was inspired by an exchange from someone who asked for great places to see nature in the city, and a responder who was adamant that something like that didn't exist.

Apart from how negative and unhelpful that viewpoint is, I found it hysterical that he had that opinion, given there were hundreds of comments to the contrary surrounding his post. He was obviously pro-nature, but instead of helping people find ways to enjoy it in the city, he simply disregarded the entire situation as "impossible" and took the viewpoint that anyone who likes cities is blind to how bad they are. Instead of taking the opportunity to advertise nature, he chose to denigrate the city.

In reality, I think it's those that are so negative that truly are the blind ones...they get so caught up in their negativity and idealism of what things SHOULD be that they disregard or miss the things they can take pleasure in. The small moments of beauty...the little blessings that we take for granted...They get too caught up in finding everything that's wrong that they can't enjoy the many things that are good. Nothing is perfect, so nothing can be enjoyed...

If you can't find anything good, you may be refusing to look for it...and that's truly a sad thing. Is Milwaukee great? Not in every way...but if you really think there's nothing good to be had, there's nothing great being done, or that the city truly is a horrible place, you're really not trying very hard to convince yourself otherwise.