Healing Light

This sunny burst of color was sure fun to paint. This one just shines in person. Not only are the colors richly layered and delicious, but there are some neat textures, too. I used all sorts of tools and tricks to make this painting pop and sing. It continues my interest in the merging of language and art with a single phrase painted in tiny letters near the bottom that reads, "Sunlight is powerful." I believe strongly in the curative powers of nature and warm sunlight. I think many of our modern maladies come from living so far outside our natural element. And often I find my attitude and emotions and even my physical body refreshed by just a few moments in the great outdoors.

I am hopeful this vibrant gem will help some fellow workaholic out there to remember what matters and to get outside now and then. We all need light.

How Healing Light was created..... Once the black gesso primer dried, I used a palette knife to apply a very thin layer of fine artist-grade ceramic stucco to the surface of the canvas. I carefully avoided getting stucco on a small central "window" where I would eventually paint the happy tree. Once the stucco dried, I used paint brushes to apply many many layers of bold bright lemon yellow and warm rich buttery yellow and hot hot Cadmium red and occasionally tidbits of lime green and cool blue. I painted the small window white and once that dried, I used tiny detail brushes to paint the fun scene and to add the words.

Healing Light was painted on a rigid canvas panel. The edges have been painted, 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.