Ooohh...  does this one ever have neat colors!  The hues in this piece are so warm and rich and they have just a touch of retro- Flintstones feel to them, too.  Declaration is a unique piece.  And a hopeful one.  I am a firm believer that we create our own realities.  And I think we often decide our own futures by what we choose to worry about and what we choose to assume.  Sometimes a small act like declaring yourself to be a good person or a kind person can have very big consequences.  GREAT consequences.  I think we have all grown too accustomed to letting the media tell us who we are.  It is time for us to make our own declarations.  Make our own billboards.  Make our own commercials.  I do not know who made this little hand-carved sign declaring that "love lives here", but I think it was a brave and happy soul who took a stand and claimed their own little corner of the world in the name of love.

I think this painting would work especially well as a house blessing.  Displayed in an entryway or in a room where guests are entertained.  I am hopeful this unique original will bring peace and smiles to the home of some fellow romantic out there.

How Declaration was created.....   Once the black gesso primer dried, I used palette knives to apply a variety of darker colors to the panel in broad strokes with active textures.  Next, I used a small scraper to remove the textures from a small window area.  Once this underpainting had dried, I used wide soft brushes and a dry cloth to smooth on and rub through many many transparent washes of various lighter colors including warm amber and lemon yellow and a soft peach and some eggshell tones.  I used a dental tool to scratch in some borders and to further define the window.  And then I used detail brushes to paint the wonderful sign and the tiny bits of landscape stuff and some key highlights.

Declaration was painted on a rigid canvas panel.  The edges have been painted brown, so this piece looks lovely displayed just as it is on a small decorative easel.   Or it can be easily and affordably framed as it requires no glass or matting.  ***NOTE: I can include a new black, wood, mission-style display easel with your order for just $10.00. Please be sure to specify your interest in an easel or a stand when you order.

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