"Opportunity"

"Opportunity"

40" x 30"

acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

For my daughter

I have a keen appreciation for Wabi Sabi.  In case you are not familiar with the term, it is derived from the Japanese words, "wabi" which meant living in solitude and loneliness, but more recently means quiet, rustic simplicity.  "Sabi" meant withered, but the more positive, modern interpretation is the beauty that comes with age, faded or weathered, and includes such things as rust and patina, which I love. 

Several years ago, I visited an architectural artifacts store in Chicago, in fact it is called just that:  Architectural Artifacts.  It was a mind boggling experience---three floors of amazing old things filled with textures and hints of imaginable experiences.  I saw this gigantic door and was able to get close enough to photograph it.  I knew someday I would paint it.

There is much symbolism related to doors in literature, mythology, religion and art.  Being both an entrance and an exit, it can be a passageway to a new beginning or an ending to something, depending on if the door is open or closed.  It can symbolize a way out or give a hint at what lies ahead.  A closed door can symbolize imprisonment or a dead end.  If you notice, this door handle is slightly turned, so being the eternal optimist,  I say it is open just a crack, and the possibilities that lie ahead are endless.

I have many large products in the "UFO" category, as one of my artist friends calls UnFinished Objects.  In the weeks ahead I hope to get some of them finished including several paintings and a very large quilt that is sprawled out on a bedroom floor, waiting to be stabilized and sewn together.
I may not be painting small with much regularity but you can be sure I will be back to painting daily works as soon as possible.  I have struggled with making this decision because I am so afraid of losing momentum.