In the Studio Painting I Work in Progress
I have completed sketching a new piece today called Raven. It is the first painting in a new series called Lost. Inspiration for this new collection comes from a poem that moves me deeply: Lost by David Wagoner.
I’m ready to begin painting. Raven will be as dark as night, reflecting deep purples and blues. Raven and the tree will be inter-connected somehow. I will continue to post preview pics as I work through the painting of Raven.
Raven (work in progress)
Size: 13.5″ x 20″
Medium: Pastel on paper
Status: Available for sale
Contact Karen if you are interested in viewing or purchasing Raven.
Lost
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
From Traveling Light: Collected and New Poems. Copyright Protected 1999 by David Wagoner — used with permission of the University of Illinois Press
David Wagoner biography: www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/david-wagoner
Related links:
Echart Tolle: www.eckharttolle.com
What the Bleep Do We Know?: www.whatthebleep.com/whatthebleep
Progress
sketch
preview #1
The colour palette for the raven is dark purple and black; however, it’s difficult to see the contrast as my camera is having trouble differentiating colours. Perhaps if I try shooting it in a different light another day might help. I haven’t painted much with black and as I use it now I am aware of a resistance. The darkness of the raven is in contrast to the usual bright greens and blues that I tend to use. I look forward to bringing light into the main branches, background foliage and sky.
detail
preview #2
preview #3
preview #4
Ready to begin painting the sky.
Completed Raven today.
Raven | Available for sale