This is one of a pair of book paintings I just completed.  They are beautiful lush tributes to the authors who have shaped my life.  Filled with natural woodsy hues and subtle unexpected textures.  (Monitors vary greatly and I am hopeful the images above appear as colorful to you as they do to me.  You might need to lighten your monitor a bit if you are seeing mainly black and missing the deep burgundies, rich reds and warm maple tones that run throughout this painting.)  Books And Hope includes words, of course.  As so much of my art does these days.  Perhaps another nod to the power that books have held over my development.  In this case, there is a single sentence painted in small earth toned letters in the lower right corner.  The words read, "Thank you to the authors who make certain I never feel alone in this world."

I am hopeful this unusual abstract will bring comfort and inspiration to some fellow book lover out there who shares my gratitude.  Gratitude for the sensitive souls who have taken time to write down their lives so that the rest of us may learn from their experiences.

How Books And Hope was created.....   This one has a bit of everything thrown into the mix.  Palette-knife painting, finger-painting, brush painting, rubbing with cloth, scraping with scrapers, abrading with sharp stuff, engraving with dental tools, etc.  It is mostly bold, emotional, gestural painting, but there is also some fine detail work hidden in there, too.  This is a really satisfying, beautiful piece.  In person, it really draws you in.  I am afraid the scans do not do the piece justice.

(This piece was designed so that you can display it without framing if you like.  This is a digital photo. The scans above are more accurate.)

Books And Hope was painted on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas with staple free sides.  The image and textures continue around the edges and this piece looks beautiful displayed unframed either directly on the wall or on a small decorative table-top easel.

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