Monday, June 21, 2010

Tears of the Innocent


24" x 18" Oil on Stretched Canvas

A few days ago watching an aloof but determined pelican dive into the canal to proudly bring up a small catch, I was reminded of his relatives elsewhere along the oily Gulf Coast. He might be crying if he knew their horrible plight...an "a-ha" moment of inspiration! I was recently touched by Sherry Massy's painting depicting an oily beach also created with a heavy heart. We want to hit someone or scream but... instead we make our statement as artists often do, passionately applying our feelings of helplessness to canvas or paper.

I used a "distressed canvas" - on which I had earlier glued tissue and/or rice papers for wrinkles and texture. I knew I could work around the wrinkles for the feathers and texture would add character to the beak. The crinkles are great for water by dry brushing across the darks and letting the light bounce off the raised ridges. Horizontal waterlines somewhat offset the stark vertical of the big bird. The water is brown and black with only blue to explain the "dirty"...The tear drop is larger than the eye - because this disaster at the moment is larger than most of us can imagine. It is most doubtful pelicans (or other birds) have tear ducts? I didn't research - just painted as I listened to the news that tar balls were washing ashore in Florida's panhandle and a dead whale had just been found in the area of the flow....when and where will it end?

9 comments:

  1. Ah Rosemary. This piece is heartwrenching, truly. I so love it and it is fierce statement. Absolutely stunning, my friend, and I am glad that somehow you were touched by my own pieces. Thank you; I think this is the strongest statement I've seen yet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. An absolutely beautiful and very moving piece, Rosemary.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sherry, thank you and congrats re the sales of your pieces with proceeds going to aid the wildlife. Let's pray this nightmare ends soon!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Edward, I really appreciate your comments. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Rosenary,

    What a powerfull painting and yet so soft. I feel for all you americans and all the animals.
    This horrific Oil disaster should never have happened.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh dear Rosemary, your image is tearing my heart into a thousand pieces. It is a very powerful piece of art.
    Such strong emotions in me rise to the reports of the Gulf. Unfortunately, the same tragedy has been happening also in the Red Sea. It's like the plague. Also, I still wonder how and when will it end? Perhaps once we forgiving nature. I feel a great complicity .....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you so much MJ and Jana! I'm so glad you find the piece powerful and that it emotionally speaks to you! This oil spill is a horrible disaster and now there's a tropical storm brewing! Jana, I didn't realize this had also happened in the Red Sea! So very sad. Thank you both for your comments!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I also agree... A very powerfull painting. Thanks for sharing your process. I like the texture from the glued papers... Again, very moving!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for stopping by Maria. I appreciate your comments!

    ReplyDelete