Appa's Hands

This painting was inspired by the greeting in India known as Namaste  - a gesture that is used to acknowledge the light within another.  They are the hands of my Beloved Guru and I honor that through this painting.  I find it very friendly, inviting and reassuring.  The colors are those of South India where I travel to regularly.  It’s a small oil painting – only 16” x 12”.  There isn’t anything else to say about the gesture – just that the painting was a flow of that love that is reflected.

Morning Glory (close-up)

The light that emanates from the inside of a flower beckons to me.  The morning glory is a very special flower that only blooms for part of the day.  By early afternoon it is finished.  New buds will open the next day and the cycle continues.  The blue is so deep and beautiful that it draws me in.  Every year I plant morning glories and every year, I paint morning glories.  It is also a cycle.  They are amazing flowers filled with joy and light.  To paint them is also joy and light.  This one is a watercolor inspired by a photograph!

Beach Treat

I’ve always loved the feel of a beach – of being by the ocean.  This beach house inspired me by its simplicity, and I wanted the viewer to identify with the scene – to see it as a place they might once have visited.

I also designed this oil painting to be in the style of Edward Hopper, one of my favorite artists.  It’s a peaceful day: no one around, just the quiet of the beach.  The two birds in the sky are a reminder of life and relationship – two desiring to be one.  It’s a theme that I often come back to.  But they represent, as well, the fleetingness of the many moments that fly by us.

The original oil painting was purchased before it was even finished – and then was used for a series of prints.  It’s been a very popular image and there are fewer than 10 prints left.

As always, you can see all of my work at www.jonirosefineart.com

More to come …

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Children on the Beach

Ever see a photo that really inspires you?  The inspiration for this painting came from a picture that I saw in the newspaper.  I had an overwhelming feeling of freedom.  What could be a more joyful and liberating experience than running near the water with your friends? 

At the time, I was experimenting with oil paints to create a watercolor effect in the ocean.  I’m pleased with the results: the pastel colors have a soft feeling – a sweetness of youth and the carefree days of childhood.  Later, I created a 13 x 26 inch giclee print from the painting.

So tell me … do you think the children are running into the water or away from it?  I deliberately left that open to interpretation.  And, by the way … one of the children is me!

More to come … 

Darshan

In Hinduism, the word “darshan” means to see or be seen by a holy person.  In a way, this painting was inspired by a natural darshan in which I happened to participate.  During a sunset in India, I was snapping away with my camera from the rooftop of my cottage, and the colors just seemed to become more alive by the minute!  With the holy mountain, Arunachala, behind me, it was as if the Mountain was giving the blessing of its presence to all the scenery that surrounded it.

And part of that immense blessing was that I was included.

Still, it was a difficult painting to execute.  Dark colors are always harder for me.  “Darshan” evolved slowly through layers of paint, and though I was able to feel the enlivening intensity of the finished work, I needed a lot of breaks during the process of painting.

I love the lighting in Darshan – the colors on the fronds and the two trees in the distance contribute to the theme of two-becoming-one.  It might be two lovely trees, or two people in love.  The yellow sky beckons, calling me into the light of the sun.

Of course, this scene could also be a sunset in any tropical climate – which is what I intended.  Do you feel like you’d want to be here?  Do you feel the allure of familiarity and warmth?  If so, then the painting has drawn you in.

And you can see more of my paintings at www.jonirosefineart.com

Until next time …

Sanctuary

This painting is actually the left panel in a triptych that stretches 48’ x 108”.  Working large, I wanted to give myself – and the viewer – plenty of space to flow into the painting.  The color choices gently draw you in.  The quiet hues and the values of the blues are extremely soothing.  My work has sometimes been purchased for its healing qualities – and I tried to explore the potential for healing in my use of color as I worked on this painting.

 I wanted to take the viewer on a journey through quiet colors that reflect the calm of an inner, contemplative life, and actually lead you into that experience.  In the distance, you can see Arunachala, a holy mountain in India and the source of the inspiration that guides my creative efforts.  The surrounding pastoral scene of grass, rocks, and a beach add to the feel of an expansive inner quietude.  I’d be interested to know what your own experience is as you look at this painting. 

More to come soon  …

Joni