Here is a little something about what is going on in my studio, when I am able to put my visions and brush together, in silence, when they all start to leave.
Study for Bayeux Tapestry
Horse Names
A series of horse portraits as seen through historical figures and metaphors of myth. The Bayeaux Tapestry is an amazing source of horses used in battle. The imagery is lyrical and tells a story in the tradition of the bards. This series has been brewing for quite some time. I did some paintings after the invasion of Afghanistan in 2003 of horses on the battlefield. I was taking a page from Picasso with his use of the horse as a metaphor for the abuses of war, especially as portrayed in Guernica. If I ever doubted or questioned my value to society as an artist these were put to rest by the lessons of art history. Picasso, Goya, Michelangelo.. . ..I want my paintings to be beautiful. But something needs to be said. I bear witness to events unfolding in The Garden.
Conversation of the Birds #2
The Garden of Paradise
Much is happening in the Garden of Paradise.I love hearing the birds chirp away in The Garden. It is like a signal of sorts that everything is well. Or not. The birds represent the journey in the Persian fable titled Conversation of the Birds. It is also translated as Parliament or Convention of the Birds. I am not sure which best reflects what I am doing with this imagery but these figures are yes on a journey in The Garden. This point of jumping off into the depiction of events in the garden allows me to explore and study differing themes. The tradition of The Garden of Paradise crosses place and time to express the journey of the humans on earth and is an important topic in our global societies today. The birds have been quite vocal in the garden. Come see what they have to say.
Notes from my Studio
In the Studio
Often a series will arise from a vision which can come from a passage in a book, another painting, studies of culture including myths through time and my love of nature. So now there is all this miraculous and beautiful creation in The Garden. We live in Paradise. So what do we do with that?