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Butterflies

The apprehension felt before "going on stage" may be seen on the young girl's face as she waits in the wings of a surreal interior.  Her animal companion does not have the capacity to fear his ability to perform and, therefore, only shows an interest in the unseen situation outside the frame.

A seascape hanging on the wall also appears at the figure's feet in the form of sand, water and shells; a comment on how the outside world of the "stage" also affects the inside world of the actor.

Her Cloak, appearing as a safe haven, is being slowly discarded as destiny takes her toward a new position in the unknown outside her present frame of reference

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Foolish choices are made by human beings. Folly attracts us with promises of pleasure, success and love.  Like ignorant goldfish we approach the "forbidden fruit" with abandon.

While Folly dances joyous and uncaring over the world, he does not experience the consequences of his offerings.  We, however, burn our own boats and sink in the quagmire of regret and sorrow.

This painting developed from the central figure alone.  The instinct for "content following form" was brought into play as the surreal background collected and completed my thoughts.

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Placed in a surreal setting, a figure holding a dagger is poised to release one small fish imprisoned in a pink balloon. Other liberated fish swim freely in the evening atmosphere. Sensuous reds, pinks, and golds found in the heavy draperies of the background enhance the smooth white satin costume delicately draping the man's form. A distant sunset and light from an artificial source dance upon the picture's surface instilling mystery in their shadows.

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The final note of the song hangs in the air and the musician, lost in its perfection, is momentarily unaware of the inevitable return to reality.  When the balloon on which he rests his foot suddenly pops, his sensations of bliss will be rudely interrupted.  Which sound, then, is the last note?

All humankind’s creativity has an end.  We experience moments of great beauty, but until we turn our search for that perfection outside and beyond our corporeal selves, we are doomed to return to the “pop” of reality .

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The mythological tale of  Saturn’s downfall has been used by artists  as a conveyance for their thoughts.  The story tells of Saturn’s response to a prediction that one of his five children would usurp his position of power. Saturn’s plan to alter this prediction is to swallow all of his offspring.  Upon hearing that her children were in danger, his wife plots to save at least one of them by taking a stone, wrapping it in a child’s blanket, and letting Saturn swallow the bundle.  The child saved was Jupiter.

Jupiter matures, overpowers his Father, and fulfills the prophesy.  He then commands his father to regurgitate all of his siblings and sends the old ruler to Italy to teach the peasants farming skills.

The  use of  horrific images from this myth that may be seen in Francisco Goya’s pessimistic comment on life and the passage of time. Chess pieces are utilized in my painting in an effort to distance the viewer from these terrors.  I believe gore and violence tend to inhibit a more thoughtful perusal of artist’s intentions.

 Being an optimistic person, my approach is beauty and reason first.  I act  on the premise that content follows form and I concentrate on the formal qualities found within the painting.     

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Images of drifting bubbles and piano keys striking a minor chord  create a magical environment.  The reclining figure offers escape from the care and stress of worldly concerns as he invites the viewer to join him.

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The love of childhood fairy tales has remained with me into my adulthood. Their romance, adventure, and  precious values of good over evil keep these stories alive in my memory. 

To be found in this painting are fairies, and elves, a Leprechaun, a giant in the beanstalk and a towering genie.  The stories of Aladdin, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, King Arthur, Guinevere, and Sir Lancelot appear along with a knight and his dragon.  Merlin stirs up a potion while Cinderella’s fairy godmother works her magic.  The virgin and the unicorn are juxtaposed with Pegasus and while the children listen to the storyteller a balloon from Around the World in Eighty Days or perhaps The Wizard of Oz sails out the painting.   

Central to most fairy tales is the “happily ever after theme” that appears symbolically as a golden castle.