Solar Eclipse and Three Hummingbirds, Oil on Panel (11" X 14")

Repeatedly, people have responded enthusiastically to my hummingbird paintings. There is something irresistible about these wonderful birds. They're mysterious, beautiful and many of my acquaintances agree that there presence evokes a spiritual feeling. Two of my close friend feel that the presence of hummingbirds is like a resurrection of a dearly departed loved one.

When we recently experienced a solar eclipse in San Diego I felt that the pairing of the cosmic event and presence of hummingbird would be a magical idea for a painting. I have several more ideas to pursue with this combined subject matter.

Hummingbird with White Flowers

My latest painting. (Oil on Wood Panel, with Silver Leaf) A change of color palate and a return to silver leaf.

Twilight Hummingbird

My latest painting: Twilight Hummingbird, (Oil on Wood Panel, 11" x 14"). When I presented my last mini-series of hummingbirds, several people shared with me their feeling that these wondrous birds represented the lively spirit of departed loved ones. It occurred to me that the birds' appearances brought back fond memories and also spontaneous smiles. Thus, what a great subject to paint!

Solar Eclipse and Three Hummingbirds

Solar Eclipse and Three Hummingbirds, Oil on Wood Panel, 11" x 14"

There's something about hummingbirds that is magical. Also magical are celestial events such as eclipses and meteor showers. The recent solar eclipse gave me the ideas to combine both hummingbirds and the solar eclipse in the same painting.

Clyde in the Luxor Onion Fields Painting. 

I had such fun with my photographer extraordinaire and good friend Bela Dornon. He took many "artist" shots of me that I want to use for my idea of a new art business website. He asked me to bring some paint brushes and several paintings to use as props. I'll be sharing more of the photos at some point.

One of the paintings that I brought was one that I did of a beautiful onion field that we passed on the way to the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. The onion flowers all looked like little versions of swirly galaxies. I thought to myself that when I got home I had to keep my memory of it alive so I could do it justice in a painting.

Bela's eyes sparkled when he saw this painting. I recognized his expression as one of those creative aha moments before something wonderful and inspiring is created. I watched Bela at his computer and I was mesmerized at his finesse. Before I knew it, he had submerged me in the middle of that Luxor onion field. It was as if Bela transported me back into that place and time. Thanks Bela!

Commissioned Piece (Two 4' x 6' Oil on Canvasses)

 

There was the backdrop of usual coffee shop noise, but I focused on Frank. My questions were met with eloquent answers and the future paintings germinated in my mind.

Colors of rust, black and yellow ochre, masculine movement, positive and bold. Optimistic!!!

"I'm maintaining my stride." "Getting on with life." "Not whispy and not pastel." 

The conversation distilled in my mind for several weeks before the texture was added. There, caught in the ripples of fluid, tactile lines, the images emerged. The first layers told me what to do--at least how to start this heartfelt piece.

Today there was a satisfied smile as Frank met his described vision for the first time. 

Defiantly Being Me

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by  Clyde Yoshida

A crazy world.

I’m in a noble profession,

that is plagued without integrity.

It pulls me in directions, this way and that way

as I sink into a sea of gray,

a fathom below the forthright air. 

It is dark and tenuous 

with prismatic, changing light

that distorts the truth.

The shark patrols to take my heart,

to consume my mind 

and chill the flesh.

Escape, elusive above and in my head, 

the source of light and air tempts 

my lungs and persistent longing

to chart my own course.

A murky silhouette spans the ceiling 

above the distant, lucid surface.

It is a bridge that links the fragile heart 

from despair- from my missing smile 

to the laughter and inner optimist.

That joy makes me recognizable

and signals my arrival like 

gulls above the tide.

The sea shall not take me.

My spirit will not walk the plank or mutiny me.

The icy, sunken shipyard will never be my home.

I will out-swim the greedy whirlpool 

spiraling to absorb my pure, unsalted soul, 

to claim me as wreckage set adrift with no mind of its own.

But I will scrape together these bones

to resurrect the heart and brain.

A half century devoted to obedience

I lament like childhood lost.

The rest of life is thrown to me

like a life preserver

tethered to awesome powers

to restore someone I recognize,

starting with the smile, 

my smile.