Seeing Red

"Seeing Red", 14x11", oil on gessobord

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"You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself sitting alone in a room."

 — Dr. Seuss

Here's another rocker that gets a regular workout in our home. This one was a gift to my husband when he retired from teaching high school. I am sure it was intended for a front porch setting, but serves us well in our living room. 

There is something I find irresistible about a chair sitting idle, open and waiting for someone to fill its highest purpose. Even if I have trouble finding the time to actually stop and sit much, sometimes simply seeing an empty chair permits me to mentally rest for a second or maybe two. Our lives are so fast-paced, chairs are wonderful metaphor for stillness, quiet... a reminder to stop the world now, and again...to indulge in the gift of another moment. Franz Kafka said, "You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet." 

Thank you for pausing for a spell.

nancy

PS. This is a larger painting 14x11"

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To see more of my art or to contact me: Daily Paintworks Gallery  • E-mail  •  Website  •  Graphic Design Studio •  Saatchi Gallery 

First Light

"First Light", 10x8", oil on gessobord

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"In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present."

 — Francis Bacon

Early one morning, stumbling into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, I happen to notice this quiet corner of my living room sitting in darkness, just as the sun began shining its flashlight into the east facing window to create a wondrous light show on the walls. I had painted this same scene last spring, but wanted to catch the light brought on by the changing season. It's always interesting to see how different light appears at various times of the year. 

Francis Bacon's quote above can apply to art, for without the darkness nothing has shape or definition. Darkness holds the light serving a backdrop, yet darkness and light are both necessary and have their own unique co-dependent roles to play; one is nothing without the contrast of its opposing truth. This is such an appropriate metaphor for life, especially when we find ourselves overwhelmed by darkness; if we can just wait patiently, soon the light will again break through to show us the way. Martin Luther King said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that..." 

My favorite part of this painting was placing the one little white dot of light hitting on the red pillow. After all it's the simplest things in life that mean the most.

Thanks for shining your light into my digital world today. 
nancy 

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To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  •  Website  • Graphic Design Studio