"A Quiet Spirit"

($40.00......6" x 6".....mounted on a 1/8" depth clayboard panel)


"Noise and confusion are enemies of a quiet spirit." Growth in any area of life requires times of quiet and being alone. I can't think of any exceptions.

My experimentations have led me to create more subtle textures and an attempt to completely imbed one layer into another. By toning down my texture in the initial layer of gesso, the erratic lettering in the background underneath the quote becomes a more interesting texture because there is no competing texture in that first layer.

Another decision that makes this a quieter piece is the predominance of the light gray area. Also the fact that the large decorated cap and bits of silver leaf and small black areas take up the least space. So whenever the negative space is dominant, the piece will automatically exhibit a quieter mood. This is a key component in value placement and where the detail is placed.

If the black areas had been dominant with tons of texture, there would have been more tension and more drama. It just depends on the mood of the piece. A wonderful exercise is to look at other paintings and notice whether the positive or negative space is dominant and how that makes you feel while you're viewing the painting. It might give you a new direction on which one of these you want dominating your work. Just a few more things to think about.

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.