marked by a suspension of activity: as a : temporarily devoid of external activity <a dormant volcano> b : temporarily in abeyance yet capable of being activated

And here is the Merriam-Webster definition for "gestation"...

                      conception and development especially in the mind

I once read or heard the process of momentum described as it applies to airplanes and artists.  Some wise person explained that airplane engines require a tremendous amount of energy to get those huge tires to roll even a few inches.  But once those tires get moving, they require far, far, far less energy in order to stay moving.  And with artists it takes a tremendous amount of internal activity in order to begin creating.  But once you get started, it is easy as pie to keep going.

My partner and I have both been feeling stuck lately.  When we discussed our feelings, I was reminded of the analogy above.  Modern man is so fixated on accomplishing and so short sighted about results that the period of inertia leading up to great action is hardly recognized at all.  But that dormancy is just as necessary as the growing time.  As the time of action.  It is during our "stuck" times that we incubate new ways of being.  Like how are bodies need to sleep each night in order to renew, and how our subconscious is busy during that sleep time fixing our psyches through dreams.  During our "stuck" times when we feel like we are sleep-walking through life, that is exactly what we ARE doing!  Sleep-walking.  Dreaming.  Incubating.  We are in a period of gestation.  If you can see that and believe that and have faith in the natural reparative state of dormancy that so many living things experience, then you can forgive yourself for appearing to be going nowhere.  In fact, those "stuck" times are preparing us to go somewhere so new that we have to adjust slowly and carefully.  Enjoy those slow times when they come.  You will be growing fast again before you know it.

This is a gorgeous textured painting with a three-dimensional tree that is raised from the surface of the wood and just begs to be touched.  It is filled with almost delicate color and has some incredibly dynamic lines.  It is an intriguing image that holds the eye.  I am hopeful this little gem will bring a bit of patience and calm to the home of some fellow over-achiever out there.

How Gestation was created.....   The really neat wood board was first primed with black gesso and then I used my fingers to push modeling paste into gorgeous irregular natural lines.  The tree is raised from the surface of the wood.  Once this layer dried, I painted the ground area in olive and ochre and rust; the tree in spicy reds and cooler browns; and the sky in lemony yellow.  I edged the board in black and then used tiny detail brushes to add the exciting black lines that definite this piece and the words.

(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.)

Gestation was painted on a wooden board created specifically for use by artists. It has a recessed slot in the back allowing you to hang it flush with the wall. The sides of the board have been painted and varnished as well so that this piece would look wonderful displayed unframed either directly on the wall or on a small stand or decorative table-top easel.  ***NOTE: This piece looks very nice displayed on a small clear plastic stand which I will include free of charge in your order if you request it at the time of payment.  This stand is unobtrusive and allows you to focus on the painting.  It also affords you the freedom to display your new painting on a shelf or table or desk if you choose not to hang it on the wall.

~These art-boards are not available to the general public in this size.  I spoke with the fellow who runs that business and explained that I love his product, but I sometimes get tired of squares and square-ish rectangles.  He agreed to create some funky shapes just for me and I am thrilled.  I love these!~

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