SAM:I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened?
But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.
FRODO:What are we holding on to, Sam?
SAM:That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
This and other platforms will do whatever they think is needed for their survival. But for me regardless of the negatives I have met writers, artists, thinkers and really beautiful humans here and that is why I am here - I keep coming back.
This painting is so beautiful. Not being able to afford an original like this gave me an idea: to suggest to you to make prints of your art or make other products like cards, etc., that some more folks can buy.
You may have had others suggest it to you and it may not be what you want to do, for very good reasons, but nevertheless, I am suggesting it to you.
Prints are an interesting dilemma - the last art show I did while I had prints available - most people said they only buy originals - art is not a great way to make a living 🤗☕
I am actually a hopeless romantic (I need to work on that so folks don't think I'm a closeted romantic, lol). Wishing you a lovely rest of week too, David.
I love reading about your painting journey. Everything in your life seems to end or at least pull you to the canvas. I wish I had that dedication and fortitude.
Ah… art is probably the only thing I can control in my life and have it turn out better than I hoped for. It’s not for art’s sake I paint - it’s for my soul’s sake 🤗☕
Dear Dr Deborah - it is always a joy to see you here - glad you felt the romance in the painting - hope your move goes smoothly - despite the plumbing setbacks 🤗☕
I love the painting. I love how she has to actively kick a bit to stay underwater. Both people are fluid. You can see the motion in it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Am glad you didn’t get it Nadine - it was less about the message and more that Substack allows it - I suspect their next move will be doing a Reddit and selling the content for AI scraping… oh wait… it already does.
Honestly Nadine sometimes it feels like we are hanging out at the Mos Eisley Cantina
I love it. I'm glad for the emotion in motion, and for your going on despite the Substack frustrations. Thanks for sharing a portion of your creative spirit with us!
I love your art. Everytime you post with a pic, I show my wife your talents. Her aunt, Pat Buckley Moss, who achieved some notoriety for her work, and other local artists, hang in our house. Thank you for moving past the intrusion (even if only temporarily) to share with us.
Looking at your journey David, I'd say you left base camp a good while back, and that you may even be leaving the foothills! Seriously, aiming for the view, and making the climb is worth it, but look back to the view behind as well - see how far you've come. We all need to do that a bit more often than we do. I love this painting, there should be more romantic artwork around.
Hmm I think I’m somewhere between consciously incompetent and consciously competent - some things I can do with confidence and others I’m still delicately picking my way over the rocks trying not to fall.
Hope my eyes last for long enough to get really good - thanks for reading Tina - really appreciate your support 🤗☕
It looks very finished and awesome to me David! Well done! PS: don't talk to me about hill climbs, I think I'm the only cyclist I know who doesn't enjoy them (much). 🤗☕️
Ha ha yes indeed! So far 2/3 through it feels more like late spring than autumn. It seems the trees 🌳 agree because most of their leaves are still attached! 🤗
Yes we are waiting for our leaves to drop as well - apart from wild rain its been very warm for this time of year - which probably accounts for the wild rain… happy cycling 🤗☕
The platform is going to keep doing what platforms do. The enshitification of tech continues.
The thing that makes Substack worth it for me is the people who keep showing up to talk about painting, hills, and art.
Have a good week ahead 🤗
Thanks Neela 🌶️ - maybe Tolkien had it right:
FRODO:I can’t do this, Sam.
SAM:I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened?
But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.
FRODO:What are we holding on to, Sam?
SAM:That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
Sam Gamgee as an unofficial life coach is still undefeated in 2026 😄🤗
This and other platforms will do whatever they think is needed for their survival. But for me regardless of the negatives I have met writers, artists, thinkers and really beautiful humans here and that is why I am here - I keep coming back.
This painting is so beautiful. Not being able to afford an original like this gave me an idea: to suggest to you to make prints of your art or make other products like cards, etc., that some more folks can buy.
You may have had others suggest it to you and it may not be what you want to do, for very good reasons, but nevertheless, I am suggesting it to you.
Prints are an interesting dilemma - the last art show I did while I had prints available - most people said they only buy originals - art is not a great way to make a living 🤗☕
yeah, it’s not for the world we live in but the fact that you are still here doing this is huge for some of us.
I wish you grand success and great ideas 🤗😃
Sorry Substack let you down last week. Glad you’re back to talking art.
PS: I really love this underwater couple. There's something about it that speaks to me 🥹
I think you might secretly be a romantic Funke - actually most of us are
Wishing you a great rest of the week ahead - and thinks for stopping by 🤗☕
I am actually a hopeless romantic (I need to work on that so folks don't think I'm a closeted romantic, lol). Wishing you a lovely rest of week too, David.
I love reading about your painting journey. Everything in your life seems to end or at least pull you to the canvas. I wish I had that dedication and fortitude.
Ah… art is probably the only thing I can control in my life and have it turn out better than I hoped for. It’s not for art’s sake I paint - it’s for my soul’s sake 🤗☕
Oh David, this has to be your best yet. Absolutely breathtaking! I'm lost for words. Romantic art is the best!!
Thank you for sharing your exceptional talent with us.
Dear Dr Deborah - it is always a joy to see you here - glad you felt the romance in the painting - hope your move goes smoothly - despite the plumbing setbacks 🤗☕
I love the painting. I love how she has to actively kick a bit to stay underwater. Both people are fluid. You can see the motion in it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks Dinah - I think he has ballast in his pockets to keep him down - wishing you a productive week ahead 🤗☕
I wondered how he stayed down... :-)
It’s beautiful. Thank you for explaining why some bits are simpler than others. The dress detail is stunning.
I didn’t get that spammy Substack email fortunately, but it is sad that any platform can be leveraged that way these days.
Am glad you didn’t get it Nadine - it was less about the message and more that Substack allows it - I suspect their next move will be doing a Reddit and selling the content for AI scraping… oh wait… it already does.
Honestly Nadine sometimes it feels like we are hanging out at the Mos Eisley Cantina
That would be far more exciting than the world we live in 🤣
I love it. I'm glad for the emotion in motion, and for your going on despite the Substack frustrations. Thanks for sharing a portion of your creative spirit with us!
Thanks Hans - your kind support is much appreciated 🤗☕
I get to learn about pastels from you. Keep em coming…
I love your art. Everytime you post with a pic, I show my wife your talents. Her aunt, Pat Buckley Moss, who achieved some notoriety for her work, and other local artists, hang in our house. Thank you for moving past the intrusion (even if only temporarily) to share with us.
Pat had a style all of her own and did exceptionally well - I feel like such a baby when I check her works.
That intrusion threw me - but the barricades are up for now.
Wishing you an excellent week in the kitchen of kindness 🤗☕
Have an awesome week. You're a great artist 🎨 give yourself some love.
I bought some chocolate caramel cookies as a reward 🤗☕
I am behind watching your YouTube videos :(
You are one of nature’s natural cheerleaders Neela 🌶️
A lighthouse in a chaotic sea 🤗☕
I accept this role, but only if I get the official cheerleader outfit and a megaphone lol
I’d paint that! 🤗☕
Looking at your journey David, I'd say you left base camp a good while back, and that you may even be leaving the foothills! Seriously, aiming for the view, and making the climb is worth it, but look back to the view behind as well - see how far you've come. We all need to do that a bit more often than we do. I love this painting, there should be more romantic artwork around.
Hmm I think I’m somewhere between consciously incompetent and consciously competent - some things I can do with confidence and others I’m still delicately picking my way over the rocks trying not to fall.
Hope my eyes last for long enough to get really good - thanks for reading Tina - really appreciate your support 🤗☕
I hope the falls are small and infrequent, from an outsider looking in I haven't noticed any trips or stumbles.
It looks very finished and awesome to me David! Well done! PS: don't talk to me about hill climbs, I think I'm the only cyclist I know who doesn't enjoy them (much). 🤗☕️
Ah… hill climbs are what inspired electric bikes - hope the autumn weather is good for you in Adelaide - watch out for slippery leaves on the roads 🤗☕
Ha ha yes indeed! So far 2/3 through it feels more like late spring than autumn. It seems the trees 🌳 agree because most of their leaves are still attached! 🤗
Yes we are waiting for our leaves to drop as well - apart from wild rain its been very warm for this time of year - which probably accounts for the wild rain… happy cycling 🤗☕