“i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes…
-e.e. cummings
I used to say that my paintings were prayers of gratitude…lately I have been thinking of them more as lifejackets of gratitude. Temperament plus crazy life events have been a recipe for me to often times have a more pessimistic view of things. Which can be heavy to carry. My creative process and my paintings lift me up and keep me afloat, bobbing around on this ocean of life. My landscapes are based on moments in my life where I looked around, up, or down and was just astonished by the beauty or the power of the moment. This astonishment, this pause, is what I try to recreate in my own way. And in turn, share with others to say, look around, notice the beauty of the natural world around us. And in us. These moments fill me with a sense of being alive, with all senses taking it all in.
The funny thing about this moment that I painted above was right before a crazy storm. I was kind of filled with anxiety, honestly, because I was a far drive from home and I knew I would have to drive in the storm to get home. But still, in the midst of the anxiety, I was just struck by the beauty and the power of those big summer clouds and how the sun was still glowing, casting a light on the field that was so beautiful. It was a dramatic moment out in that horse field, looking up at the hill and the clouds. And I was taking it in. (And during my drive home, I did have to pull over to the side of the road for about 10 minutes because I could not see a thing. That was the kind of storm it was!)
I just finished framing this encaustic painting and I really love how the frame finishes this piece. I am especially happy because I bought the unfinished wood frame years ago and I stained it a warmish gray that really complements this piece, in my opinion. This piece will be in my show coming up at the gallery in Manor Mill in Monkton, MD.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
– Mary Oliver