There are times when I speak to someone about their favorite type of art, that I just can’t get it out of my mind, until I create it.
During this past Summer I had a solo show, ‘Wine Bottle Illusion’, up at the Four Graces winery in Dundee, Oregon and took advantage of the opportunity to have several wine tastings with friends and clients. During the last one and also the day I took what was left of the show down, I met a very enigmatic, distinguished gentleman who told me about his favorite things. He spoke expressively about being very drawn to lighthouses with the waves crashing around them.
We both connected over loving the ocean and antique or retro nautical imagery such as maps. It was a visual scene that I have not been able to get out of my mind. We have discussed me creating a special commissioned piece for him, but with delays in our schedules, it was pushed off until next year.
Yet I kept thinking about the Lighthouse with the waves.
Last week, while receiving a massage, the massage therapist and I were talking about the power of the heart; how we all start as a heart first and how our hearts are like beacons of light. I told her about some of my heart-centered art with rays of light, which lead us into talking about the image of the lighthouse. I then had a very strong image of a lighthouse as a metaphor for all of us, with the heart inside with the light beaming out in every direction.
However it was just the sign I needed to start the latest series, ‘Ocean Bliss’ paintings that I had been wanting to get to for some time.
Can you relate to standing tall letting the storm pummel you from all sides? It is a symbol for keeping our inner light lit and weathering any storm. It was all so moving and beautiful and I knew I had to get started on this theme immediately.
And so I have!
Although, I am still adding layer upon layer of paint and texture to create the patina of metal weathered from the ocean around the corners, I wanted to share this very large 60” x 40” mixed media painting with you all as I work on it.
- Subject Matter: Ocean and Lighthouse with wave
- Collections: 'The Ocean Bliss and Porthole Series'
