Dawn: Part VI

Today was magic. Ever have one of those days where things click? I love them. I played ball all morning and came home as a storm rolled in - a perfect chance to hunker down in the studio. I had some mellow Pearl Jam on, the playlist ended, and I was left painting in my tippy-top attic room in silence with just the sound of the wind scuttling the leaves across the street outside. Magic.

As you can see, Dawn is coming along. The intense red strip across the horizon has given way to the lighter colors, but the pieces of the dark red that show are important forms. I used to have a dark blue across the top but it felt too heavy, so this light turquoise has lifted the sky perfectly, and it is such a strong color. The water will start as a gray.
I added a close-up below of the words "I swim" so you can see how they show up in the water. (Remember, I added the phrase "Dawn is coming, so I swim, I swim, I swim" to the water area.) That's my metaphor for life: when things suck, swim for your life and eventually you'll make it. Dawn comes!

the view outside my bitty window

Who can't love this? She likes to watch me work.

Angst

18" x 36" oils
sold

Thanks for the comments guys - here are some texture close-ups for you.

Dawn: Part V

OK. Today I reached the point in the painting process while working on Dawn that I know it will turn out: the "soul" as I like to think of it came to life. As you can see, I totally covered the water area and am starting over there. The red band will not be as vibrant when all is said and done, but the strength underneath will be important.

You can barely see, but I've written the words "The dawn is coming, so I swim, I swim, I swim" into the ocean area. If you don't know what that means, think about it with the idea in mind that when you are down and all is dark, the dawn comes and you just have to push and push to make it sometimes, BUT - the dawn does always come.