Here’s a new painting, a 10″ by 20″ canvas, that I am calling Bluefire. I don’t know if the title refers to the blue sun rising over the distant ridge or if it refers to the hot contrast of the red tree to the predominately blue environment. It doesn’t really matter because the title feels right, feels at home in this painting. At least, it does this morning.
Bluefire also sounds like a gem of some sort and the color of this piece definitely has a gem-like quality, sapphire and topaz and tourmaline green. It feels as much like a jeweled object as it does a simple painting, which I like. I have spoken a number of times of the idea of the painting being viewed in multiple ways, as a pure object in itself as well as a representation of something emotion-based on its surface. This seems to fit this idea.
I also like the paradox of the warmth of this piece despite the blue overtone of the whole. Blue is often portrayed as a cool color but sometimes that doesn’t hold completely true. I think this is one good example of warmth in blue. And I think it’s this going against what is the norm that I like about Bluefire. The blues are warm and the sun is blue but it somehow doesn’t matter. It registers true to me and that is the test that counts.
Now, whether others see and accept it in those terms is another matter.
Redtree Times 
Has anyone ever done one of your pieces as a needlework project? I can see this one, particularly, done in marvelous silk mixed with heavier threads for the tree trunks and red tree. I don’t have the skills or (mostly) the patience for something like that, but I think it would be marvelous.
I’ve shown the marquetry and have had others suggest glass or quilting but there is no needlework that I am aware of. But I see what you’re saying.
On Fri, Feb 22, 2013 at 7:09 AM, Redtree Times
I wonder how many will see a blue moon. Last night’s nearly full moon reminded me how much we’ve lost with the advent of artificial light. I suspect full moons come and go now and most people never notice. But, in fact, the light from a full moon (blue or otherwise) is pretty remarkable and, of course, has been a source of wonderment, and poetry, for thousands of years. There’s moonlight and moonglow and moonbeams and, of course, moonshadow, just for starters.
We talk a short walk every night in the dark and I often wonder the same thing. We seem so disconnected from the natural world around us and fail to fully appreciate the moon and the stars that hover right there every night.
This is a very soothing piece! z
Yes, the blues here are very calming.
On Fri, Feb 22, 2013 at 5:59 PM, Redtree Times
The red tree seems set apart from it’s landscape — not isolated from but more like “overlaid” onto, and the picture has a nocturnal feel. I would have said it was the moon and not the sun rising, and “Blue Moon” would be what I would have called it. Still, I like it. The red tree carries on being itself, both night and day.
I saw it as a moon at first and, like you, thought of the blue moon reference. But I soon found myself seeing it as a sun. Now, it could still be a moon. The sun is just how I came to see it. Your view is just as correct as mine here. Thanks!
On Fri, Feb 22, 2013 at 6:40 PM, Redtree Times
Was this piece shown anywhere?
Yes, it was at the Principle gallery in Alexandria, VA.