Latest Paintings: The Weathered Possibility Series

Occasionally, I just need to paint something that’s non-figurative and just appeals to my aesthetics. Below are fruits of my recent need to do just that! They are 12×16 paintings on wood panels. They will be what I expect to be part of a larger series, as the mood strikes me to paint more of them.

I am titling the series “Weathered Possibility,” because of the inherent potential behind any closed door. I’ve long been a lover of windows and doors, an interest that was given a revival as I roamed the streets of Italy and Slovenia a few summers ago. The rust, the cold feel of iron as you turn the handle, the creak of the hinges as you enter worlds unknown… Explore some today, open some doors and see what awaits you on the other side.

$45.00 worth of pure, raw potential :)

Nate may think I’m crazy when he comes home tonight   I just made a run of some antique stores near our home and picked up a really random assortment of old buttons, pins, wood, hinges, and other rusty things.  I’m as giddy as I got the time we were cleaning my grandparents’ attic and I discovered a forgotten calligraphy set, complete with pens, ink, and paper.  My parents’ first inclination was to throw it out, but for me, it became a 9-year old’s new favorite hobby.  It’s funny how some things never change… my desire to create something beautiful out of raw materials will always be with me.  Sometimes my raw materials come in tubes, or are shiny and white like new canvases.  For this endeavor, they are old items that beg for resurrection.

What brought on this itch?  Last night, my dear friend Caroleann and I went to an Andrew Peterson concert.  His songs told the story of Jesus’ birth and life much like a fairy tale would be told.  During intermission, we discovered a table covered with artwork that corresponded to the message of the songs… artwork that mesmerized me.  This artist, whose name is Evie (and who disappointingly does not have much of a web presence), had taken old wood and discarded items, pairing them with her own original watercolor and ink paintings.  The result was beautiful, intricate works of art that beckoned for further review.

Throughout the rest of the concert, I let the music and my own wandering thoughts give me inspiration for my own take on this “found object” type of work.  Be on the lookout for these pieces.  I already believe that they will be hard to part with.  I always know I’m on to something great when I can’t think of anything else, and neccesary things like showering and phone calls start seeming like a nuisance.    See you soon – this artist has work to do.