"Quiet Reflection"

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


"A candle sets the tone for quiet reflection and prayer." There is something about a candle that creates a mood for thinking about the deeper things in life. It is part of my morning ritual and this is one of my more colorful candle holders. The symbolism of the flame representing the Holy Spirit is significant.

Because I wanted this to be a quiet and casual piece, I brushed on the gesso with abandon and then added some thicker splatters plus a gestural stroke. The lettering is much like an impromptu journal entry. It's part of the process of trying new things. Growth does not happen in a vacuum. Every artist must be willing to continually step out of their comfort zone and allow their vision to grow.

I am presently at a week long workshop with Carol Marine painting in oils...."alla prima". Alla Prima means to paint wet into wet. It is very challenging, but you will soon see some of my attempts, with lettering added to the mix. Some women wear red hats and purple dresses as they get older. I have chosen to throw caution to the wind and push everything to the limit...(in art, that is!).

My encouragement is to tell your internal negative voice to sit down and be quiet while you explore the many options at your disposal. Even if you are in a season of life that does not permit too much painting and lettering time, practice noticing values and sketch, draw, or do lettering in those odd moments of waiting. Just some things to think about.


Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Listening and Learning" (unavailable)

(unavailable)


There are times too numerous to tell when I wish I had not said something. However, there are rare instances when I wish I had said something more. The truth of the matter is that most of us learn more when we listen to what others are saying. The spiritual application here of pausing to listen to God in prayer is also profound and worth pondering.

In the process of working on this piece, I discovered how to effectively scratch into the black gesso and reveal the color underneath. Begin by brushing on some alcohol into an area...wipe off the excess, and scratch into the top layer with an x-acto knife while the surface is still soft. The reason alcohol works better than water is that it breaks up acrylic paint. It's a subtle effect so you may not be able to see it as clearly without viewing the original.

The wonderful thing about discovering new techniques is that they most often happen while caught up in the joy of experimenting. Having a stack of 4 x 6 pieces of watercolor paper handy is a wonderful way to try something new without wasting too much paper. If you do come up with something you like...be sure to jot down some notes on the back. Trust me, you will not remember what you did six months from now.