I was asked to be a part of a one-day art event this Saturday in the small town where I work, and contributed three paintings.
One of those paintings has traveled a few times before, most recently to the Salmagundi Club in New York City for the American Tonalist Society show (a very nice group to be a part of).
I thought I’d share my contribution to another event - a covid-era undertaking from a gallery in Florida.
It was called The Great American Paint In and really was neat to be a part of.
Many, many great artists contributed, and the art lover will not waste time by clicking on the link. It takes you to my page, but you can browse from there.
Below is my contribution and what I wrote about the “why.”
It is titled “Life Itself”
As I stood in that doorway I was watching time pass, light grow, slide down, fade, only to light up another section, and it seemed to me like a dance, something fast made slow, a silent song, a drama. I didn't make mental notes, I didn't make a sketch. I made time to see it. I gave time to it.
From all of these layers—the drama with no audience, my eavesdropping upon the performance, the beauty of the colors, the warmth given to a chilly morning, the short time it would last—from all of this bubbled up the idea that this was life itself. Not only what was happening on the stage (so to speak), but also my standing there so grateful for this silent stage. The light would fade from the scene, but now I carried it within me. Such is life.
What we surround ourselves with matters. What we take into ourselves really matters. What we can give others is from the overflow of the heart. And so, now there is a painting in the world that would not have been - a product of the heart's overflow for quiet beauty that contains ancient lessons, ancient lyrics, made into a present melody.
Another contribution is titled “Independence Day” and was twice awarded. Once by Plein Air Magazine and once by the Oil Painters of America. It shows the first time my nephews, three brothers, lit fireworks by themselves.
Link to Oil Painters of America
The final contribution is a piece done outside over three straight mornings.
It was recognized and won a really nice award at the Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, my first plein air competition.
It is titled “Fifteen Minutes and a River”
Click here to see it on the Olmsted site.
That’s it for now.
“Independence Day” also won Best of Show at a good show in Sheridan, Wyoming. The juror was G. Russell Case, who’s is a really nice, grounded man, and a great painter.
These are absolutely gorgeous, thank you for sharing. I particularly like the last one; you have an amazing eye for catching the light.