A Painter and a Hurricane

I had no idea how frustrated I would be the week Hurricane Irene hit us here in Maryland!   We lost power for 7 days!   On the first day I got a little excited thinking that I would  get lots of painting done during the day. After all, there would be no meals to cook and cleaning was out of the question.TV wasn't an issue either.but I would miss the radio.

So the first day I went to my studio and realized my water buckets were dirty. UH OH--- we are on a well that isn't working... and our tub held all the water for the week--- did I dare take that precious water out. I did the first day.  

The second day  I finished a new drawing-- I placed it on my light box in order to transfer it to the watercolors paper and quickly remembered it wasn't working.    The water became a bigger issue--- day 2 and we  lost the second bath tub holding water.

Ultimately I gave up-- I  dump my water buckets frequently and  I knew it was taking a chance to use water for my pleasure when toilets were more important.   

The ultimate frustration--- the power went on 7 days later with a teaspoon of water left in the tub and I came down with a chest cold.    Needless to say, I am watching the weather channel and praying the rest of the bad weather goes out to sea!   Hope the rest of you had a better experience with Hurricane Irene.  Happy painting Jane

The True Self

This is a good example of a negative painting done with a limited palette.--notice the circular arrangement of the colors. 

The title comes from the Course In Miracles. White lilies represent purity  and they are at the center of our being. Our true self is what is left after we subtract our egos.  This true self  is our real self.   It is hard to see and connect with the true self because we carry so much in the unconscious we are not aware of.   Judgements also get in the way of seeing the true self and in the world we live in judgements are hard to escape.

Many of my paintings come from my desire to ask spiritual questions and seek answers. These issues are reflected in the way I portray my subjects.  Sometimes I call these  watercolors painted prayers.

Carrie's Flower

This is a good example of what I call "broken borders".  Once this painting is framed the rounded shapes breaking into the colored center will be more prominent. It is like painting a puzzle and I just love the process.

Lesson #62- Forgiveness is My Function As the Light of the World

This is another example of the use of negative and positive space using geometric design. What cannot be seen is the framing. The mat is covered with  a prayer from the Course in Miracles - I have written this prayer is calligraphic script which I love almost as much as the painting process.  The prayer reads: "It is your forgiveness that will bring the world of darkness to the light".    It goes on to say "Remember that in every attack you call upon your own weakness, while each time you forgive you call upon the strength of Christ in you."

For more information about the Course in Miracles , go to ACIM   or The Foundation for  Inner Peace

Orange Lilies

This is a good example of negative and positive use of the space. This approach is very controlled by creating a carefully thought out under-painting ahead of time.  The orange lilies in the top square are the center of iinterest.