Which Way

I decided that I enjoyed the process of creating the recent “Spring Nest” painting so I decided to explore that path a bit further. I started in the same way with black ink and loose brush work. You can still see some of that first layer especially at the bottom. At that point, I really didn’t know what it was going to be but after rotating the paper a few times, I decided I liked it this way up and started adding some acrylic paint. I added quite a few layers before it resolved into this scene and I decided it was done. I am starting to really enjoy the energetic edges. They give the piece a lot more movement than if the paint stopped at a tidy straight edge.

Spring Nest

I like to play with different media from time to time and this one came out of that exploration. I really enjoyed the process of creating this and also how it turned out. Much of the acrylic paint was transparent so a lot of the first layer of ink can still be seen. That makes the focus very clearly on the three eggs which were painted with opaque paints. Perhaps more in this style later…

The Visitor

A curious, possibly mystical presence grew out of the shadows as I was painting. A glowing figure overlooks the forest pool – a naiad? What do you think?

This painting was built up with many layers of acrylic paint often scraping and scratching down to previous layers while the newest layer was still wet… I did this one in June and I remember that crayons were also involved – which you can still see traces of if you look closely.

Hummingbird Moon

This abstract exploration ended up with some artifacts from fairly early in the layering process that didn’t want to be covered up – flowers, a hummingbird and maybe the moon. This is definitely a case where the original is hard to capture in a photograph. When I paint this way, the textures and layers are quite challenging for me to show on line.

In my mind this one is reaching for “Monet meets Chagall”. 🙂

Tom wrote a really lovely poem that speaks to this painting beautifully.

coalescing currents curl
from out of deeper darkness
flowing down to pools that swirl
with stillness beneath starless
skies where hope abides and wing’d
shapes may one day fly through the
chaos life will strive to reach
afar across this world where
coalescing currents curl

Wind. Flower.

Wind. Flower. (Detail upper left corner)

I have been working on this painting (off and on) for months. I did post it once before but then after some time went by I decided to add even more layers. The overall photo doesn’t really show it well so I added some detail shots. I really do enjoy this process of building up and scraping away to reveal what’s underneath in places. It started out as a meditation on a friend’s garden I had visited and that is still there, but it dissolved and resolved into something else.

Tom wrote a deeply beautiful poem for this one.

Earth, water, air, and fire
combine, combust, conflate, conspire
to form the mystery of all things:
the solid ground, a ghost that sings
of other Edens lost to time
and futures flying in their prime
toward the secret, never seen.
They flit and flutter, twist and lean
to glimpse beyond this life’s abyss
and catch a moment’s endless bliss.

Joy Eternal

In dark times it becomes even more important to celebrate the momentary joy and beauty that life brings… the breeze ruffling a field of flowers, the sun sparkling on the crest of a wave, a single golden leaf spiraling to the earth.
This piece was created with many layers – painted, scraped and scratched. I hope it speaks to others too.

Tom wrote a wonderful poem that captures and enhances my painting. Thank you Tom for the poem and the painting’s title.

Wandering beyond the drying fens
beyond the sunlight-burnished summer fields
a tramp might find a doorway to a gem
of elder darkness, where the Singer wields
her voice like some forgotten hero’s blade
sweeping past the stars to split the sky
reminding men they are for living made,
rising higher, sweeter, as it dies.
The Singer tells all hearers of a time
when for a moment they may breathe in joy
eternal: empty, pure, divine…
until an end no one who lives avoids.
A wanderer might listen at the door
then step in darkness, seeking always more.

Seasonal bird – bonus!

Varied Thrush (6″ x 8″) acrylic on Arches paper

I started doing a fun series of birds in December and posted one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Apparently, I couldn’t quite stop so here is one more.

One day in late December, our yard was visited by dozens of Varied Thrushes. I didn’t grow up with these birds so they are surprising and especially delightful to me. Of course, I needed to paint one to add to my seasonal birds. This piece of paper was a bit bigger than the others so I had even more scope for abstract play in the background.

And here is Tom’s poem!

A variation on a theme of joy
that darts through lambent colours of the wood
beneath the winter sun. A spirit buoyed
by all in life that’s gentle, kind, and good.

Seasonal bird – 12

Cedar waxwing in winter (5″ x 6″ acrylic on Arches paper)

I started doing a fun series of birds in December and posted one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Hope you enjoyed them!

Sharp-eyed I wait among the leaves
of cold December days
remembering the summer sun
and misty autumn haze.

Seasonal bird – 11

Spotted Towhee – raconteur (5″ x 6″ acrylic on Arches paper)

I started doing a fun series of birds in December. I plan to post one per day for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a short poem from Tom for each. Hope you enjoy!

Well let me tell you, brother mine,
the things that I have seen!
Some have been coarse, and others fine,
if you know what I mean!

Seasonal bird – 10

Chickadee so free (5″ x 6″ acrylic on Arches paper)