To Charlotte 20" X 20" mixed media
Tender words we spoke
to one another
are sealed
in the secret vaults of heaven.
One day like rain,
they will fall to earth
and grow green
all over the world.
Rumi
I like to work on square canvases the best, for some reason. This painting started with a very old letter to Miss Charlotte Byrd. My sister found the letter an a flea market and gave it to me for Christmas, to use in my art. Color inspiration for the painting came from the envelope, which was a lovely shade of faded blue. I actually wanted the letter to show through the paint a bit more, but, if you look very closely you can barely make Charlotte's name in the lower third of the painting. I took the letter apart and used it separately from the envelope for more texture. Inside the envelope I placed a handwritten copy of this poem by Rumi. Along with the letter, I layered on some sheet music and scraps of pink and blue decorative papers. The painting evolved very easily from there; the dove came first and then the lily. My partner at school, Patricia, saw the painting while I was working on it and proclaimed it a love story, and she was absolutely right. You can see this painting on exhibit later this month in the group show New Beginnings: Expressions of Love at The Decatur Market & Gallery. On February 12, from 5-10:00 pm., you can join the gallery artists for an evening of cocktails and live music and see one-of-a-kind romantic works of art in each artist's chosen medium.
for Mixed Media Monday, the Three Muses,Crazy Amigos and Theme Thursday.
18 comments:
A love story....how beautiful! The colors are perfect and the dove with the flower just says peace and love.
a lovely story indeed...you built a beautiful painting around this.
x..x
Everything about this is just wonderful-your painting-the letter and the poem. Love it!
Who doesn't enjoy a love story! So beautiful, the painting, the colors the movement such joy!
Hugs Giggles
I need to give you a notebook I bought at a thrift store once that has these crazy ramblings in it--some that you can follow and some that make you wonder what the lady who wrote it had been up to. Would be great background for anytime you want to do an "out-there" piece!
Kathy, This is so inspiring! I love everything about this painting! I can't see the words or the music, but iit doesn't matter, your work is so beautiful...xoxo
Janet
Great post, lovely painting;o)
oo so lovely! i love the subtle bits of color in the whites....is this oil? i have noticed a different depth...are you now painting with oils instead of acrylics? i think your transformation piece was oil...
anyway, your work just keeps getting better and better...and i love the letter idea...i like to layer papers in also...it's like a secret garden.
Thank you so much, Jean. This painting is mixed media in the truest sense! I started with a paper base glued on canvas with Modge Podge, put on the first coat of paint with acrylics, and then layered on charcoal, graphite, inks, and oil pastels. Hint: When you want to put water-based paint over any oil-based medium, paint on an acrylic sealer, wait until it dries, and keep layering to your hearts content. I learned this in a clas I took last spring, and it has allowed me to enjoy the benefits of fast-drying acrylic paints along with deeper, richer oil tints. A mix master like you should really enjoy the freedom and range this technique provides!
So incredible!!!
Absolutely gorgeous!
fantastic painting!!
beautiful mixed media piece!
love your art pieces. this one is simply beautiful.
Kathy, as always I am in awe of your painting with all of its secret layers and and wonderful colours and textures. It radiates such joy ... it is amazing my friend.
Wow, this is incredible!
Kathy, your painting is exquisite and your description of the journey in creating it is so interesting. Your blog is such a joy to visit.
Stunning, Kathy! Thanks for participating in the MMM challenges.
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