Essence

Essence

I love working with natural elements.  Wood has always been a favorite one, and some time ago I discovered how wonderful wood works with oil paint.  The paint sinks into the surface like a stain would do, becoming part of it…. a perfect relationship.

When I first thought of creating this new series, I had already played with steel wire to produce a few other projects in the recent past.  I enjoyed how I could shape the wire often creating multiple layers to form an animal, figure or object.  The wire became a simple suggestion of a thing, which I felt captured the energy of this object - encompassing its "essence", if you will.

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Thus, the title of this series was born.  Wanting to speak to this issue of how we are connected to all around us, the idea of combining paintings and sculpture seemed a most appropriate collaboration, as the wire was used to create an ethereal rendition of the this living or non-living thing. 

The paintings show the human figure interacting by "feeling" this pure energy with eyes closed.  The figure is female, which exemplifies the feminine sensitivity that exists in both male and female.  She is also indigenous to the Americas, as this connection to Spirit is such a intricate part of the Native American cultures.  Indeed, it is the vital approach to life, insuring a healthy coexistence.

For me, it became a personal longing to embrace this state of being.  To feel this primal connection to all around me, and most importantly, to know my own, enduring spirit.

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