Mist Off the Pond
One October morning, some years back, I took a photo of some of our “backyard”. The cool morning air was hitting the warm pond in the distance and creating clouds below and above. I pushed the color a bit as I painted the scene, an almost abstract landscape of nature’s humble wonders.
Interior of the School of Life (a residence used by the Missionaries of Mary for young women of the Philippines)
This old mansion in Balanga, Bataan, Philippines was handed over to the Missionaries of Mary, a community of vowed women who minister to the youth of the Philippines, especially those with no safe haven. This is the large living space where the young women gather to listen to music or to chat. When I had the opportunity to visit, I was awed by the architecture and the cool, streaming light that bathed the warm-toned interior. This piece was a simple sketch in paint to work out possible patterns of light, dark, warm, and cool for a future larger work. So far, I have not yet begun the larger one. I hope for long life!
Bright Faces
These two, trumpeting, yellow morning glories came from imagination and experimentation. I sometimes like to let the white of the canvas show as part of the color scheme and painterly appearance. The flowers here just might approve. Though I did not plan it, they seem to join in the dance of creation.
Birth
Lately these large green apples have smiled up from our lunch tables. Such a perfect fruit and such rich yellow greens prompted this day’s work. One escapee from the womb of the apple inspired the name. Will there be a new tree, new generations of delicious green apples from this tiny seed? With as few strokes as I could manage, my brush salutes the wondrous regeneration of life.
Caught
This young boy of the Philippines was playing with his pigeon, when my camera caught him. He was one of many local children we visited, taught, and invited to our home in Balanga, Bataan. Both he and his little bird were a bit shy, however. He represents the transparency and simplicity of children all around the world. In painting him and his friend, I was interested in creating a strong design of darks and lights, and in capturing a stroke or two of his innocence.
