This Way, My Love

My friend Johny says, "Art is personal," and it is. I remember for many years refusing to even think about selling my art, because I felt I would be selling a part of me. I was always willing to give it away, but selling it just didn't feel right. Of course, I have changed my mind, and realize that people are willing to give something in return for something they like, some personal part of me that speaks to them somehow.
I enjoy painting, and I enjoy the joy it brings others, even if they don't buy. Art speaks to people, conjures up strong emotions, and goes to the soul. I've written before about my profound connection with the art of Bill Zaner when I first moved here. And I have talked about the spiritual connections I have made with the artists I have met through the gallery.
Linda and I have seen and admired lots of art, but it was just recently that we were moved enough to acquire apiece of art that truly moved us. I may get a little transparent here... we have been married over 30 years now, and as any married couple can attest, it's not all rainbows and unicorns. There have been some really hard years when we didn't know if we would make it. I sometimes make a joke that we he been married for  7 wonderful years - plus 13 bad ones, 3 years of hell, and the rest we just got by, but a total of 30.
So....we saw this sculpture, and the title is "This Way, My Love." When Johny told me the artist explained it to be one person being stuck or trapped, and their partner , the one on the outside, could say, "This way, my love," to show the way out, I literally broke down in tears, and realized how much that connected to my relationship with Linda. Each one of us has been one or the other in that sculpture. And at times throughout the years, the bird in the cage has been us as a couple, and there have been other couples who stood with us through some horrible times. Others have been there to encourage us, and help us find a way out. Many times, we have been the bird on the outside to help other couples see a way out.
And many, many times, our faith in God has been the bird on the outside to show us the way out. Either way, whether we have been led, or used to lead another, the Spirit leads us into relationships to encourage others and be encouraged by others. We are made for relationships, to help, to bring strength and comfort, to care enough to say, "This way, my love." We are shown a way out of our trappings in order to help others when they are trapped. It's the reason for good relationships.
This piece of art brought us both to tears, and brought up deep feelings of awe and gratefulness. It is through art that one expresses themselves, and through art another connects with that expression. Linda and I hope to meet the artist, Bien Irazarry, when we visit Santa Fe next month. I hope we can express to him how this sculpture not only spoke to us, but went straight to our soul.
And through each painting I do, somehow I hope I can speak to and connect with someone else's soul. If only to encourage, and maybe say, "This way, my love."

New work

I've painted a lot down on the Cibolo Creek at the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne, TX. Rarely do I ever see anyone out there while I sit by the creek for several hours. My favorite spot is about a 6 or 7 minute hike from the parking lot to an out-of-the-way and somewhat hidden location right next to a bend in the creek. There is a fallen log that crosses (and appears to end) a creekside trail. The floor is criss-crossed with cypress roots and one must walk carefully to avoid tripping. It has been my favorite place since I started going there. The log is in just the right position for me to use as both a seat and a table for my brushes. It offers a perfect view upstream, with a smooth water surface reflecting the 50-60' cypress trees. The creek is only 25-30 yards wide, and where I sit there is a narrow spot between the roots where the water flows gently over the rocks and between the roots. It's quiet, and one can hear the birds, cicadas, frogs, and the occasional heron that graces the water. It is truly an inspirational place to paint, and sometimes I just sit there for an hour or so before I even set up.

I love getting out there right around or right after sunrise. As time passes, and the sun peeks through the trees, and the light constantly changes, creating some dramatic highlights on the edges of the cypress trees, and some strong shadows and light on and through the water. For a plein-air painter, it abounds with subject matter. Being right next to the water, and under the shade of the trees offers a cool place that is 10-15 degrees cooler than up on the trail. I can usually stay out there until noon, and not break a sweat - even when it's 90 degrees or more outside.

Here is my latest completed painting. Imagine being there as you view it.

Cypress Trees along the Cibolo, Oil on panel, 14" x 18" - SOLD

What Color is Water?

I spent time this morning at my favorite summer morning refuge, along the creek at the Cibolo Nature Center. I packed all my gear, intending on working more on the oil painting I started last week, but when I got out there, I decided to do a watercolor study of the scene, focusing on the reflections in the water. 
The study is intended to give me some insight for when I compete my oil painting.  I am always challenged by water, not only getting the right colors, but also with the right reflections. I love the stillness of the water out here. And I was hoping to convey the quietness of the water.
So what color is water? It is the color of whatever it reflects. It's the color of quiet, and the color of peace.  I love going out there.

Watercolor study for Cypress along the Cibolo

The way to the creek