Snow Angels

This 18" x 40" oil painting is a gift for family this Christmas. Merry early Christmas.

Dawn

18" x 36" oils
sold

It has been a long time since I began this painting, and it has changed many times. I finished it today and it turned out exactly how I saw it in my mind. Da Vinci is quoted to have said "Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art." I'm not sure if I completely agree with that statement, but I definitely think that where the soul does not work with the hand there is no art. Here is the meaning behind Dawn and the reason I painted it:

Life is hard. That's just a fact. If it's easy for you, just wait, and you'll get your own taste of reality. Now, just because life is hard doesn't mean it can't be great at the same time, that's not what I'm saying. However, there are times for all of us when we feel beaten down by our trials. Those are the long, dark nights. Dawn is a painting of a literal dawning of the day, but it is symbolic of the peace in all of our lives when we turn that corner and begin to succeed against all odds. The words scratched into the paint in the lower area of the water say "The dawn is coming, so I swim, I swim, I swim." It's all about never giving up!

I never guessed that when I began this painting, my mom would be overcoming a traumatic cancer surgery as I finished this painting. Dawn is more special to me now as my family and I deal with her health issues and hope for healing. Thank you to all who have wished her well. I hope this painting helps you deal with the struggles you have in your own life.

close-up shots above and below...

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.