What you may not know about Rembrandt:
He painted mostly on panels throughout his early career.
He prolly bought his panels and pre-made canvas at a local frame shop
or store, rather than make them himself.
His students were often more popular than he was during his lifetime.
His more "rough" paintings came later in his life.
Quote from German Impressionist Max Liebermann: Whenever I see a Frans Hals, I feel the desire to paint; but when I see a Rembrandt, I want to give it up."

This quote struck me because about a year before reading it, I was in a workshop with David Leffel and we all had the opportunity to visit his studio. My friend Ed and I got there early. As David greeted us, we proceeded down the entry way where there was 4 or 5 of his originals hung in little alcoves along the wall. Ed says to me "Don't they make you want to paint?" I turned and said "they make me want to cry". Nothing like seeing the real thing, no matter how good the reproductions in a book are, I always say...

Now is the Time??

Am I really going to embark on this improbable oil painting career?
Now? During the worst economic upheaval IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD??