Penguin

This painting is far too large to scan in its entirety. The first and last images below are digital photos. Please refer to the detailed scans for a more accurate representation of the hues and textures that make up this bold expressive painting. *** Please note: This painting did not photograph well. It is so much more lovely in person. The colors are deep and vibrant and the piece is quite captivating. Unfortunately the digital photos appear to have dulled the entire piece. I will try to get better images of this one in the coming days, but I fussed with these for hours and this was the best I could manage.

The words read: When you lose your way, that is an invitation to explore new terrain.

The colors in this piece feel just a bit like Crayola crayon and that is appropriate. Because the first two penguin pieces I ever created were in crayon. And somehow penguins just feel right in crayon. It suits them.

I love this bright painting. It is a fun little escape. A window unto a better time and place. It continues my interest in the subtle inclusion of language in art with a single phrase that reads, “When you get lost, that is simply an indication that it is time for you to explore new terrain.” Just as this satisfied explorer is enjoying his brief rest atop a new vantage point.

It just makes me happy.

This piece has deep deep color that evolved through many layers as well as some fabulous textures that beg to be touched. It is a dynamic painting that will likely define the room wherever you display it. I am hopeful this fun image about embracing the unknown will bring a bit of courage and faith to your home or office.

How Penguin was created... I started with black acrylic gesso primer. Then I used my fingers to push high-viscosity black paint into beautiful naturally irregular ridges that became the three-dimensional lines of this piece. Once those ridges dried, I used palette knives to paint the sky deep deep blue. After that dried, I used palette knives to paint the ground bright Kelly green. I applied three more layers of color to each area, waiting for each layer to dry before the next was applied. Then I used tiny detail brushes to paint the bird and the words and a few key highlights. And to touch up the black lines a bit.

Penguin was painted on a fine, hand-stretched canvas. A fellow in Arizona makes these just for professional artists. It is incredibly sturdy, built on hefty kiln-dried wood that will keep your painting in proper shape for generations. The 1.5" deep staple-free sides of the canvas have been painted black providing a striking profile and allowing you to display your new painting unframed if you like.