Another Iris!

I have painted another iris in the experimental smooth brush painting approach--still lots of color but maybe less dramatic than the geranium?

The drawing was dramatic enough--color on black always good for excitement!

Stage two had lots of color but little finesse:

The final painting seems more subtle, less drama ("Andante," 16x20 oil).  Couldn't get the colors in the photo quite right with a phone pic, but it's close and you get the idea.

Experimentation

I have been playing with a different approach to painting, using a brush and more medium than I usually do, with a smoother application and a few more lost edges.

Here are some pics of the stages, plus a couple of details, to give an idea of what it looks like.  The one on the left is an early stage, with some of the "drawing" still showing.  I'd intended to add palette knife paint, but was too charmed by what was happening.

 Here are some details:

The final product, "Allegro," (14x11 oil on canvas) pleases me very much. Let me know what you think.

Hope Rising

This is the painting that I created for the Casa Esperanza 8th Annual Art for Hope Auction, March 20, 2010, called "Hope Rising," in honor of their theme of Hope.  Hope  rises from the darkness and chaos into light, just as those who undergo cancer treatment must do.  I painted the entire image while listening to Barry Tognolini's soaring rendition of the "Theme from Time: the Musical," by Dave Clark, from his album Treasure Road.

The words that accompany the actual musical performance of this amazing piece of music are profound:

Stand before me on the Sign of Infinity all you of the Earth.
With the granting of "The Law of Provenation" comes the application of change.
I will give you the key.
And with this knowledge, please realize, comes
the responsibility of sharing it.
I will show you the way:
It's very simple.
Throughout the Universe there is order.
In the movement of the planets ...
in nature ...
and in the functioning of the human mind.
A mind that is in its natural state of order is
in harmony with the Universe,
and such a mind is
timeless.
Your life is an expression of your mind.
You are a creator of your own Universe,
for as a human being you are "free to will" whatever state of being you desire
through the use of your thoughts and words.

There is great Power there.

It can be a blessing or a curse.

It's entirely up to you,
for the quality of your life is brought about by the quality of your thinking.
Think about that.
Thoughts produce actions.
See the pettiness and the envy and the greed and the fear
and all the other attitudes that cause you pain and discomfort.
Realize that the one thing you have absolute control over is your attitude.
See the effect that it has on those around you,
for each life is linked to all Life and
your words carry with them chain reactions
like a stone that has been thrown into a pond.
If your thinking is in order, your words will flow directly from the heart,
creating ripples of love.
If you truly want to change your world, my friends,
you must change your thinking.
Reason is your greatest tool.
It creates an atmosphere of understanding
which leads to caring
which is Love.
Choose your words with care.
Go forth ... with Love.

"The Theme From Time" from Time: the Musical, by Dave Clark

You can hear Sir Laurence Olivier perform his original role with this music on YouTube by going HERE.  Fabulous and life-changing!

This auction will generate funding for the programs and upkeep of the "home away from home" for cancer patients, so I hope that the bidders are generous and not just looking for a bargain in art work by nationally known artists.

The event begins at 5 p.m. with drinks and heavy hors d'ouevres served throughout the evening.  The Silent Auction is 5-7 p.m. and the live auction is 7:15-8:30 p.m.  It's always exciting and the art is spectacular, with original art, custom hope chests and artist enhanced furniture featured.  Please come join the artists and bidders for a fun evening with a purpose!

Activities and Art

We have been gone much of last month, first to Ft. Lauderdale for the exhibit opening at Artists Haven Gallery.  The gallery opening was great fun!  You can see the pictures of the reception HERE.  Next, we went on a cruise of the western Caribbean, ostensibly to be warm and to snorkel.  We snorkeled plenty but we didn't get warm until we got to Belize!  Record cold in Florida was a big surprise for us.  But the fish and the reefs were terrific!

Since returning home, I've been catching up and creating a painting for the Casa Esperanza annual Art for Hope Auction fundraiser, which takes place March 20, at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque, NM.  Stay tuned for details and to see my painting!

Casa Esperanza is a low-cost retreat house for cancer patients undergoing treatment in Albuquerque.  It's funded largely by donations and fundraisers.  This is my fifth year to participate.  You may remember my hope chests in 2005, 2007, and 2008 and can see them online on the Casa Esperanza website in their past events links.  I've also contributed several paintings for their auctions. 

In the midst of creating a larger painting, which took me way longer than I hoped to tweak, I created some small paintings (as in 2.5 x 3.5 inches!) with the leftover paint on several days.  This is one of a New Mexico mesa.  I had a lot of fun palette knife painting this from my memory, using the colors at hand!