Healing Art

 

 I was contacted by a company, Healthcare Art Consulting, asking if I was interested in submitting artwork for a new Cancer Treatment Center, being built by Charleston Area Medical Center in West Virginia...   Well, I almost didn't do it, because just applying would be a lot of work, and I had no way of knowing if my application would be accepted. At the last minute, I decided to apply, and I really had to hustle to get everything turned in on time. As part of the application, they asked for samples, so I painted the 12 x 12" painting above. This is a WV landscape that I had been wanting to paint for several years.

 

Well, I sent everything in, and waited, hoping for a commission...   When the news arrived, they had approved me for two commissions! Two oil paintings of West Virginia landscapes, each 40 x 40!"  I can't show you the other one, because it doesn't exist yet!

 

As you probably know, I live in California now, but I grew up in WV, and have lived there for most of my life. In fact, I used to kayak on the river in this painting. This is very exciting and challenging! And I feel honored to have this opportunity to offer some measure of beauty and hope to people undergoing treatment for cancer.

 

That kind of art is "healing?' I always thought my art was peaceful and harmonious... Is that healing? These scenes will be familiar to people in WV, and, I hope, arouse pleasant memories. What do you think?

 

 

Toot's Tavern

Toot's Tavern - 8x6"- oil on canvas panel

I really like this neon sign with the naked lady in a martini glass. So retro! So politically incorrect! (So hard to paint!) The only way to have it show up in a painting was to do it at night--and even then, it wasn't all that dark, because there was a street light in front of the building. You can see the shadow of the light pole on the left.

When I delivered my work to the gallery, one of the other artists asked if I had fun. I said, "Yes, but I sweat blood over them." He laughed, and said, "Yes, we all do!"

This is another painting for the Valona Paint-out in Crockett, CA. It can be seen at Epperson Gallery

Valona Paint-out 2014

St. Mark's - 8x10"- oil on linen panel

I have always admired this little church, in Crockett, set back among the tall pines. Now, during the Valona Paintout, I decided to paint it. When I started, there was bright sun on the church and the flowers--looking good. Passers-by were very nice and complementary. But the light changed... so I had to pack it in and return the next day.

Well, by the next day, someone had cut all the flowers! And the light was overcast. So, I tried to go with what I remembered and photos. I had left white spots on the canvas where the flowers were supposed to be. I think it turned out really successful!

Framed in gold. Shipped free.