Freeing the Spirit

Finally, i have resolved the work that has taken up so much of my summer and fall. As you can see from previous posts it has come a long way. My mistake early on was not beginning with a strong design in mind so it has taken quite a few reworkings to resolve the design problems. Since this is a study for a much larger work I will redesign it with the things i learned from this rework and apply them to the next one. I really like the idea of the figure starting out confined to a globe (vessel) and gradually finding her way to freeing herself. Much like many women all over the world today, it takes a long time and a lot of work to truly become free in mind, spirit and body.

A reiki vision

The first time i experienced reiki i had a recurring vision of a young woman beckoning me through an archway. It has stayed with me for two years. I finally was able to express it visually. This is the first study. Eventually the archways will be expanded and then transferred to large canvas.

Where does the time go?

In checking my blogger dashboard I realize it has been almost two months since i last posted!! What have i been doing? Well, for one thing i have been working on a very challenging piece. As it has been unfolding I have taken issue with parts of it and when that is resolved i find another section i am unhappy with. But i am determined to resolve the entire work vs. starting over. I could begin again with a better basic design and I still may do so but the persistent part of me wants to see how far i can take this to a resolution. I will post here the latest of these reworks and as soon as i can post the final solution i will. (The area that is challenging me is the upper left quadrant.) any thoughts?

In the meantime i am beginning another new work in this "Vessels" series and look forward to sharing the process with you.

Sisterhood

"Sisterhood "
acrylic

36 x 60

The latest in the Vessels series. I am at a loss for words as to how each of these come to be. They just seem to percolate, formulate and make their way to the canvas.

Triptych#2 Nature's Vessels

The great part about artistic license is you get to change your mind, anytime! I was playing around with photomerge and decided to see what my original triptych idea would like putting them altogether. So here it is triptych #2 Nature's Vessels.

I think it works, what do you think?

I'm still sitting on the fence with regards to transferring them to larger canvases. These are on watercolor paper and measure approx 26 across x 16. I'm afraid i won't be able to replicate the same atmosphere of depth and mystery. So for now i'm going to live with them on a smaller scale.

Study of Nature's Vessels

This is a study i have been working on along with two others for my series of Nature's Vessels. I thought i would have a triptych but the more i look at them I think this should remain on its own. The following two i believe belong together maybe as a diptych.

I would like to now transfer these to large canvases.

In the meantime, I had another vessel "epiphany" (sp?). So i have been working simultaneously on that as well. This whole theme is really beginning to take on a life of its own. It seems everywhere i turn there is a vessel connection!

I was talking with someone the other day who was telling me about her daughter's connection with horses and riding and how it was helping her feel grounded. It is common knowledge of how horse therapy has helped many people with various issues and there it was. Horses as vessels!!

i'll have to research this some more.

I am happy to report my Divine Vessels have been invited to show at The Art of Reiki in Troy. It is a beautiful space for them and very appropro for the series.

So while my posts are sporadic I have been working hard and hope to continue posts of my vessel journey! I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful summer and staying cool!

Nature's Vessels

As I was working on this last triptych i had a nagging sensation to create trees. The images of trees kept popping into my head and eventually on paper with charcoal. As i worked the first image a figure began to appear very obscurely. Since the original work was created from design #2 of Divine Vessels (bottles) i knew it had to mean something connected with my vessel series. So i researched the symbolism of trees and the connections began to take form.

One of the explanations really resonated with me. Trees symbolize unusual strength, resolution and courage; a constant, dynamic interchange between matter and spirit, earth and heaven. Hmmm. so why does the figure (usually the female) keep surfacing in my work?

I have to conclude that trees serve as a symbol for vessels. That they deliver unusual strength, resolution and courage in nature. I have seen these same virtues in the human spirit (especially females) during my lifetime. So there's the connection!

I have posted below the original charcoal work that will make its way through the process on paper and canvas as well as the draft grisaille of the first of three works in this particular series of Nature's Vessels. With a few minor value and shape changes i have transferred it to watercolor paper approximately 11 x 15. I will then choose my palette and apply glazes.

Perhaps another triptych is in the wind.