I recently traveled to Omaha with college friends to hear another friend’s concert. Catching up in person with my friends after fifty years was a profound experience. As the weekend and our stories unfolded it became clear that many of our early interests remain undimmed by time. Whether music, botany, justice or painting, we continue to be fuelled, supported and guided by those first, fundamental passions.

As I listened to my friend’s concert, I could see his attention shift between the audience and his music. I kept thinking how some people never stop being students of what they love. Even after years of practice, they stay curious — still trying to understand their art a little better, still willing to work for improvement.

In this painting, I wanted to show that the pianist isn’t playing only for an audience. Even as he played, he was also listening, adjusting, and studying again — steady in his devotion to the work itself. Watching his quiet persistence reminded me how learning and creating are really the same act, just seen from different moments in time. Maybe that is what keeps me painting, too.