In the Sun

In the Sun is a crisp, charming, primitive landscape filled with candy colors and an almost surreal warm light. The lines of this piece are "engraved" in the painting which makes them pop from the surface. And the colors were built up over many transparent washes so they are particularly luminous. I have been experimenting with a bolder use of language in my art. I am not hiding the words all the time. In this case, the word "Feel" is openly used as a compositional element.

This bright clean painting is a reminder to feel each moment. The light, the air, the mood, my emotions. I grew up in a home that emphasized thoughts and feelings were never discussed. It took me years to learn to feel my feelings and it is a hard-won skill that thrills me each time I exercise it. But feelings require a certain stillness, don't they? I am prone to rushing about and working, working, working. So I occasionally paint reminders like this one. Prompts that tell me to sit still and feel. I am hopeful that this little treat will serve a similar purpose for some fellow hurried soul out there.

How this piece was created... In the Sun began with black gesso primer and a thin layer of neutral paint. I then used a dental tool to engrave the lines of this piece into the surface of the board. Next, I built up many many layers of color, always retracing the lines with the dental tool in between layers. Finally, I used very small detail brushes to add key highlights, to lay a fine black line atop the engraved grooves, and to add the words.

This piece 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 as well so that this piece would look wonderful displayed unframed either directly on the wall or on a small, decorative table-top easel.