Essentials

Because this one-of-a-kind piece is highly textured, the images below may show faint "hot spots" caused by light reflecting off the peaks of paint. Additional scans are available on request.

Essentials is one of my newest “window” abstracts. It is a beautiful piece with rich textures and deep colors. And it has symbols that are part memory and part dream. Like childhood. There are two “windows” here, one of which is divided again. And in those windows are images of a small home, a vibrant tree, and a clear sky with soft clouds. In tiny letters just outside of the top window is a single phrase which reads, “I do not need much to be happy.”

I love this piece. It calms me. I am hopeful it will bring a bit of perspective and peace to the home or office of some fellow minimalist out there. Someone who shares my believe that less is indeed more.

How Essentials was created..... Once the black gesso primer dried, I used palette knives to apply many shades of blue and purple and turquoise to the panel surface, always lifting the knives at the end of each stroke so as to create the beautiful naturally irregular textures. I used a small dental tool to remove the paint and textures from two small rectangular "windows". I used wide soft brushes to apply several washes of color to the small windows. And then I used tiny detail brushes to create the peaceful scenes and to add the words. Finally, I used brushes to paint the edges of this piece black.

Essentials was painted on a rigid canvas panel. The edges have been painted black, so this piece looks lovely displayed just as it is on a small stand or decorative easel. Or it can be easily and affordably framed as it requires no glass or matting.