What Einstein Knew

I never met the man personally, but I have it on good authority from everyone who ever knew or wrote about him, that Albert Einstein was a very intelligent fellow.  Or as we say here in Maine, he was "Wicked Smaht!"  Einstein was best remembered for his Theory Of Relativity.  It was followed by some mathematical gibberish like e=MC2.  Which apparently only geeky scientists can understand, but explains everything there ever is to know about the universe.  See, I told you he was no dummy.  He was also known for this saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result"  (The lesser known mathematical equation for that is y#ZW=3 to the third power).  So call me crazy because I seem to be following Einstein's Rule of Insanity.

You see, I am a creature of habit.  I like to keep things the same.  My family regards me as a control freak (I don't know why I let them think that...)  I exhibit a certain high level of anality-- I dislike change or anything that disrupts my routine.  I want things done the same way at the same time, all the time.  Other than that, I'm pretty flexible.  But what does this have to do with my painting, you ask?  Well, I was thinking about it, and I realized that I seem to be doing the same things, yet expecting different results.  You see, I follow a set routine when I paint.  I lay out the same colors on my palette in the same order.  I use the same brushes.  I paint on the same surfaces.  I listen to the same radio station while I work.  Heck, I go to the studio at the same time every day and eat lunch at the same time.  And for all this sameness, this never changing routine, I expect to make a masterpiece!  Why?  Did I make a masterpiece the last time by doing all this?  Am I not a living, breathing definition of Einstein's Theory?

While I am currently in the mode of waiting for inspiration to strike, I think about what I may be painting next.  Sometimes, after I've painted a series of landscapes, I'll take on a seascape.  I'm used to painting relatively small pieces, so maybe next time I'll paint a big one.  For me.  And hey, I saw my beautiful partner Ellen resting on the couch while the last rays of golden sunlight lightly caressed her face.  What if I painted that?  Maybe I'll try an expanded palette, or maybe a minimal one.  Why not try a plein aire?  Gosh, the possibilities are endless!  But what about my having to do things the same way all the time?  I guess I forgot; come to think of it, each painting is different.  My routine is the same during each painting, but different for every painting.  Maybe--just maybe-- I'm not following Einstein's Theory of Insanity at all...  Hey! I'm cured!

Do you think I'll ever be able to figure out e=MC2?