2024 might be a promising year – however, it begins in the middle of warfare.
As an artist and a person of conscience, I cannot ignore the long and brutal daily suffering of so many.
From the vantage point of my safe and relatively prosperous life, I see the suffering, but like so many, I feel powerless to alleviate it.
However, I can express myself! This blog post is about a painting on African mahogany I’ve titled “Sunshine On The War Ground.”
I will show the evolution of this work as I processed my thoughts creating it.
Sunshine on the War Ground
Here is an image of the beginning phase.
A beginning.
This beginning was rather pleasant, using the tones of the African mahogany wood as an element of anxiety and turmoil. There’s hardly any bright light tints in this beginning phase on purpose.
I didn’t consciously note it at the time, but the darker clouds of this beginning, like clouds of smoke, stuck with me.
Red tones started to speak to me. The explosions, the fires, and the wounds. The anger. It led to the next phase.
In process
I chose to create an angry battle scene, and the beginning horizon with a bombed-out skeleton of a building.
I gave the sky an anxious tone of light yellow, which I started carving into, thinking about how to show the presence of the compassionate thoughts from the world as some bright relief in the painful struggling.
Ideas about fire and smoke and burnt, scarred earth inspired me to literally take a torch to my painting and burn its surface.
Sunshine On The War Ground
Mountains became more defined, and the scene more injured. Is there any end in sight for these wars? How could they possibly end in peace?
My thoughts returned to the light yellow sky, like Sunshine. God’s presence with all of the humans in the struggle. The brightness of the sun shining with Hope in a damaged world in unending conflicts.
Obviously, this isn’t a light-hearted painting. It is a deep cry of prayer for millions suffering immeasurably and dying each day. What can we do? One important thing is that we can take care of each other.
Human connections are so essential, and we need it to bring support and light and love and health, especially during times of sadness and despair.
Reaching out to friends and family can be uplifting for both those who give the love, and for those who receive love.
Sending Cards Touches Hearts
Getting a card in the mail is an old form of connection in our world of high technology and instant communication, but it can be a tangible, beautiful way of expressing thoughts and feelings in the form of a small physical artwork.
If you wish to send unique handmade cards such as these to others, blank inside to receive whatever message you write, my original art cards are being sold at the Catalyst Arts Collaborative store at the following location, open during these hours:
- Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm
- Sun: 12pm-5pm
- 6427 W Ustick Rd (Between Curtis & Cole in Boise)
Thank you for taking care of each other and for supporting the arts!