Contemplating the Mystery
encaustic and mixed media
5 x 5 x 1.25 inches
sold
Although I long to paint large and I have been painting larger and have some in progress, I still have stacks of small canvases and panels sitting in my studio. I really hate to have things go to waste or take up room, so I have been working on these small canvases lately. It’s a good idea too, as the Sacred Art Store Gallery in Lincoln Square has been asking me for more small paintings and I want to put some up for sale on my art page on amanobooks.com for the holidays.
I created this encaustic painting on a 5×5 inch gallery wrapped canvas. Generally one of the “rules” of encaustics is that you need to paint on a hard absorptive surface like wood, clayboard, plaster, etc. This little canvas though is small and the stretcher bars on the back are so thick, that it provides a lot of support. Painting on a large flexible canvas would provide too much movement and the possibility of the wax cracking. But I am confident that this wouldn’t happen on these little canvases. I have made a few, but have yet to document them. Hopefully I can get to that this week.
The title was inspired by this quote:
“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” ~Rachel Carson
My son and I just returned from a visit to Maryland to visit my family. Although very busy and very tired, I wanted to go visit before I can’t anymore as it will be awhile before we can travel again. It was such a wonderful visit. I am very lucky to count my sisters as my closest friends and companions in this life of ours. Being around them is like putting on a comfortable sweater. I can have fun and be silly and also be quiet, as is my natural inclination. As the baby of the family, my sisters tend to spoil me too, even though we are adults now. I’m not complaining!It was nice to be taken care of for a week and Noah had so much fun with all his cousins. But it’s good to be home now too and I have a lot to catch up on.
wonderful little piece– I too want to paint larger– but sometimes the small ones are little gems..
lovely piece!
I love this little piece. Small paintings are so much more intimate than larger ones.
Love the quote…and the painting!
Thanks Donna, I always imagine your paintings as being large. How funny!
Thanks seth and dolce vita!
thank you kelly. there is something intimate about being able to hold a little painting in your hands. But I love the physical freedom of painting larger too.
The nice thing about a small painting is that the price will allow some folks to make a purchase, when they would not consider a larger piece. I’m glad you had a comfortable time with your family. It’s the season for it.
Love smaller pieces of artwork. I tend to do more smaller works just so they get done… There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day.
it’s gorgeous !!!!!!!
Hi Brigitte. That little bird, sitting on the post, what beauty does he see, that he is not alone? That yellow is subtle and restful and reads to me that sometimes the beauty is within us. I like this canvas. I prefer painting large canvases but there is the tactile response of holding a treasure when I handle a small canvas.
Sorry Bridgette, I spelt your name incorrectly.