Bodies of water are unique as are people. The ocean’s vastness and its unfathomable power invites the visitor to respond differently than a tranquil intimate lake. A mighty river sings with the strength of a diva while the whispering creek and brook lilts and gurgles. Each draw me in uniquely into relationship, into fluidity, the way of water, the Tao.
Some paintings can’t be sold. They are too much a part of the artist’s heart. This is the place down the road from my house where I used to sit with my second child, nursing her as the sounds of water splashing across the rocks into the wee pools below played a serene melody. To me, these waters were grand and rivaled the beauty of Niagra Falls. But truthfully, it was simply a small ordinary creek. Yet it will always be extraordinary and so much more to me. 2006. 3 ft. x 5 ft. Oil on gessoed masonite. Not For Sale.
In the hills of Rowe, MA, bordering VT. This is where I used to pass by between the woods and the beaver dam. The old stone wall and beaver-chewed trees defined the edge. But then Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 came through and with ferocity of flood, washed it all away. So this favorite intersection of mine is gone. But I will remember the cool pool where water-striders lingered and ferns danced in the coolness under the shadow of the wood, where deer tracks led the way to quench thirst for many of the woodland creatures, and moss like a velvet green blanket covered the old gray stones. 2014. 8” x 10” oil/canvas. $300 sold.
Originally I named this Good Friday because that was the time of year when I painted it. I was feeling somber, sad. Which if any of you know me, is kind of rare. But there it was. After living with it for a while, it felt more peaceful or rather maybe I felt more at peace. Either way, I renamed it Bucolic River which seemed more accurate. Anyway, who on earth would buy a painting named “Good Friday”?!! The very interesting thing is that this painting was actually the bottom half of another painting which just WAS NOT working. No matter what I did, I couldn’t reconcile it. So I got out the saw and cut the painting in two. And wasn’t the veil torn in two?
Out of that decisive moment, two new paintings emerged (obviously with some reworking!). Thus was born this one and another called Sky Nebula. 2007. 14.5” x 20.5” $650 sold.