oil and cold wax
16×20 inches
A few weeks ago we took the train up to NYC for a long weekend. We saw some good friends, ate some great pizza, and did some touristy activities. It was fun to bring the kids around, exploring new places, experiencing famous sites. But I have to say that it was bit of a sensory overload. It could just be my frame of mind lately, where I have really been feeling a very strong need for quiet. Information overload. So many activities with school and sports and what not. Too many bickering voices due to the upcoming elections. People say to me, oh, just shut it out, don’t let it disturb your peace. But I can’t. The personal is the political. How can it be any other way? I’ve always been like a sponge that soaks up the energy around me. It gets to the point where I feel like I need a big hand to just wring me out.
The first day back into the studio after the hustle and bustle of NYC, I painted this serene and quiet landscape. I had taken the reference photo last winter when I had gone sledding with the kids. Winter landscapes always seem so pure and clean and quiet. Creating art for me is like having that big hand that wrings me out. A cleansing. Grateful for that.
I have been creating a lot of quiet pieces lately.