The Sacred Cycle

The Sacred Cycle, ( Oil on Wood Panel, 20" x 24")

I always seem to have several themes going at the same time. The Sacred Cycle is obviously related to the other paintings in this blog: Twilight Dream and The Mystery of Angkor Wat. I like the spiritual feel to the theme of these paintings. 

Books that were influential to this theme are: The Alphabet Vs. The Goddess, by Leonard Shlain and The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. Although these books discuss ideas created by humans: literacy, war and understanding our place in the universe, I like to imagine the sacredness of nature. What spiritual ideas are present even in humankind's absence? Are there ideas without human existence? 

Representing the thinking of a human-less spiritual order tinkers with my thinking. There is a simplicity involved. It feels like a new language, even though the language of art has been a textless endeavor for me. What I think would be important in our absence are the cycles of the sun and the connectedness of living things and their environment. 

I feel like I'm expressing myself as the Lascaux cave painters did more than 17,000 years ago! There was magic in their paintings. They look magical and these ancient tribes did believe that creating animals in great numbers in picture form would increase the herds for the hunt. Today, the magic needed is not necessarily for the hunt, but for the prevention of extinction. 

Although the manmade world is depicted in the painting The Mystery of Angkor Wat, the story is of human evacuation and the natural order reclaiming the land.

Recovery

Recovery (Oil on Canvas, 30" x 40")

Firstly, I hope that you all will be able to attend the 10th Ave. Theater and Arts Center  fall show during the month of October. I will post details about the show soon, including invitations to attend the opening. 

"Recovery" has a lot of meaning attached to it. In creating this piece I couldn't help but explore the most general definition of recovery: being resilient to change. However, "re"covery implies that there is a return to some norm or familiar characteristic. Or does recovery mean to rescue one's sanity? Thus, in exploring the most general definition, I still encountered a lot of nuance.

I let the process of this painting help me to clarify this exploration. Some of the answers that came to me are that recovery is a return to bliss. Recovery is a continuum of life's ups and downs, the "getting back up and starting again." Recent world tribulations would prove that there are hardships and extremes in life that I thanks God that I have never had to face. 

My personal daily purpose is to be in touch with every moment, to see the colors of life, and to feel free to explore what stimulates my curiosity. I fear stagnation, so I prize my growth. Embracing the people that I love and being open to new relationships is a magical and wondrous part of my life that I use as my measure of comfort and contentment. I'm happy to report that I have been blessed to reside in the blissful side of the spectrum and to be in the mental state to realize it!

Three Monks

Three Monks, (Oil on Wood Panel, 14" x 14")

In Asia we saw monks in prayer. Not too unusual right? It's also common to see monks traveling in groups. Several times we saw a line up of perhaps a dozen monks waiting outside a home or restaurant. Curious about this, we watched from afar as the resident came out with a large bowl of rice for the monks. The community seems to be responsible for taking care of its local monks.

One day as we walked through the city of Phnom Penh, we happened to walk behind three monks. I'm trying to remember if it was windy that day, for in my mind's eye, the spectacle was a blur of saffron-golden hue. My painting captures the sight as a spontaneous monk dance. Dancing monks? A bit more unusual right? It seems that I exercised my artist's license making them appear to be doing the Watusi. After hiking up Cowles Mountain, I've learned that you can approach a monk and strike up a conversation. I always thought that I should not bother them, thinking that they are in a constant state of prayer. Say hello to the next monk that you happen to see.

Blue Zebra

Blue Zebra, (Oil on canvas, 30" x 30")

A new zebra painting. Let's hear it for zebras! This is another look at the subject. I posted a more defiant zebra on an earlier post, so this commentary continues the zebra saga. Sorry for the mysterious and metaphoric way of conveying a current plight. It's the best I can do to communicate at this time. I promise to elaborate one day.

As the first zebra was defiantly peering out of its wood panel, this one is somber, looking for direction out of his canvas. He lives in a world of beautiful chaos. This zebra is resilient and can take in the confusion of not knowing and also the joy of the whir of change. Notice that he's taking on some orange---a chameleon in striped pajamas.

Time is a phenomenal teacher! Minor setbacks always lead to something better. In the meantime, watch out for lions! Stick together with your fellow zebras.

Ganesha, Remover of Obstacles

Ganesha, (Oil on Wood Panel, 18" x 24")

Ganesha is the elephant diety. Again I'm showing my growing fondness for elephants. I'm captivated by the story of Ganesha and how this diety came into existence with the head of an elephant and body of a man. 

I acknowledge the fact that elephants can be  fierce competitors---their sheer mass, a sneeze from the trunk and probably a flick from their tail would cause me physical harm. However, I admire the strength and power behind the "beast" and the restraint from using its power to harm others. When I saw these magnificent animals on our trip to Cambodia, the posture and smile conveyed to me, "Yes, I could hurt you but my choice is to be gentle."

Jacob and the Angel

Jacob and the Angel, (24" x 30", Oil on Canvas)

My friend Jerral suggested that I paint a scene with Jacob and Esau. As I did my research for the painting, I realized that I was more intrigued with Jacob wrestling with the Angel. I liked that emotional content and the metaphor of wrestling with inner conflict or change.

I am also bemused by the idea of multi-faceted faces. The cubist style suits my pursuit of angularity and seeing something from many points of view. In the case of faces, I love to give hints of the alter ego and subconscious mind by depicting the multi-faceted face. This is how I envision myself often as I think through the complexity of each day. What should I do first? What do I think about that? What is the best way to do something?

Artists through time have illustrated the scene of Jacob and the Angel with a range of aggression to passion. I chose the passionate route.

Bridge In Battambang

Bridge in Battambang- Oil on Wood Panel, 12"x12")

We passed under several old and picturesque bridges like this one on a 7.5 hour-long trip across Lake Tonle Sap in Cambodia. Exhausted and fretting over a fast approaching downpour; we didn't fully appreciate the beauty of these bridges until we had time to settle into our hotel, dry off and take a stroll on the banks of the river when the sky finally cleared.

Looking back over my trip photos, I can't resist painting a bridge scene with a wonderful reflection.

Khmer Elephant

Khmer Elephant (Oil on Wood Panel, 8" x 10")

In many parts of the world Elephants seem to flourish in paintings and sculptures in civilizations most sacred sites. When you observe the gentle interaction these beings have with humans, you can't help but feel the contrast of benevolence and the enormity of these animals. 

The image of elephants fascinated me on our recent trip to Cambodia and Laos. I savored every elephant image that I saw. Real life, sculptures, paintings and souvenirs were captured in my digital camera for me to continue to admire... and to paint!

The Mystery of Angkor Wat

The Mystery of Angkor Wat- (Oil on Wood Panel, 24" x 24")

To behold the ruins of Angkor Wat from afar is more like an approach to a distant mountain range. 

Dawn's light began to reveal more and more of the details around us: carved stone, and arches crafted by Khmer architects long ago. Magical morning light can induce one's imagination in a place like this. The jungle had hidden these majestic temples for hundreds of years. 

The creation of the site, the meticulous craftsmanship and the disappearance of the inhabitants are still being investigated. I wanted to capture some of the energy and mystique of this amazing place.

Mother and Daughter

Mother and Daughter - Oil on Canvas (30" x 40")

This painting was inspired by the play, 26 Miles. The play, by Quiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Seema Sueko, will be performed by the Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company from September 29 - October 23 at the 10th Avenue Theater and Arts Center.

The arts center will also present an art show that will run for the duration of the play. Work from resident artists and four invited artists will be displayed in the center's gallery space. More information will be posted.

The shows have been impressive. Hopefully, you will be able to see the production and visit the gallery display before, after or during the intermission.

Smiling Face at Bayon

Smiling Face at Bayon- Oil on Wood Panel (8" x 8")

This is a single smiling spire. At the Bayon Temple complex in Cambodia, you would get a prism view of smiling faces. Everywhere you turn there are smiling faces. After the initial feeling of awe, I believe visitors to the temple leave with smiles on their own faces.

Goddess in Buddha's Garden

Goddess in Buddha's Garden
(8" X 8" Oil on Wood Panel with Silver Leaf)

Buddha Park, about 45 minutes into the beautiful countryside of Vientiene, Laos was the inspiration for this and probably many more paintings to come. The area, filled with frolicking chimeras, magical animals and Buddhas is an enchanting and sometimes eerie experience.

One Goddess in particular, the multi-armed Durga cast her spell on me. As a Goddess of protection, I also saw her as the divine representation of multi-tasking. I share a commonality with many artists who juggle one more thing into the busy pace of life: the need to create. This has been my way of understanding the things that I perceive and want to understand better. I take it in, but it must also come out as an approximation of my tearing apart and putting back together again mind's eye.

The Earthen Sphere of Heaven, Earth and Hell, Laos, 2011

A bizarre treatment for a macabre and wonderful presence in Buddha Park, Laos.

Inside this 3 story high construction, also known as the giant pumpkin, are spiral corridors and cement and clay spirits who make the darkest core their home.

The humid clearing in the forest encouraged moss and vine to grasp its shell, as if hell itself were reclaiming it for a devious purpose.

The Royal Palace, Cambodia

It was an amazing sky above the royal palace on July 17th, 2011. I brought up the color and enhanced the lighting to get the best out of the sky and delicious detail of the palace.

Loyalty (14" X 14" Oil on Wood Panel)
The presence of dogs and how they bond with people is such an extraordinary pairing. We had the opportunity to observe this universal relationship on our adventures in Cambodia and Laos this summer. One particular word comes to mind as I think about these wonderful beings: Loyalty.