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| A Flair for Drama oil/canvas 20 x 16 x 1.5 |
is a Swahili word that literally means "long journey". I would like to think that its implications include a finding, a journey of the self, which is pretty much inherent in the notion of a long journey. Our friend Pat recently returned from an African safari, not in search of hunting game, but in search of a knowledge of the world at large, and, of course, in search of self. After years and years of the nine-to-five in support of his family, this was his treat to himself. Likewise, each and every work of art is a journey....some longer than others. The slide progression shows my journey in the painting of my rooster friend. I yearned for my paint and my stroke-making to be all-things-rooster, in order to avoid the stagnancy of rooster-for-decoration. And, a journey it was! Each of my works has always included a problem area.....in this work is was the rear leg...the one that should be not-so-dominant and fading into the ground area. However, as I work abstractly at the same time, the overall design seemed to be fighting with the notions of reality. Originally, I had planned to discuss my decisions at each pass. Unfortunately, those explanations have faded with two exceptions. I always recall the feeling of unrestrained joy at the beginning, the first pass, and the openness of possibility. I can also recall the thrill I felt as the cool green was added to the mix....that was, perhaps, the most exciting moment in the process. As you can see, I played with many solutions and came to an agreement of sorts. Is it finished?
I do not know at this time. Perhaps the journey is over. Perhaps not.
