I’ve been working recently on some very small pieces for the upcoming Little Gems show at the West End Gallery in Corning. I’ve mentioned here before that this particular show is always a sentimental favorite of mine as it was in this show that I first publicly showed my work twenty years ago. It represents the first step on to the path that I now follow and that makes it special for me. Plus I enjoy working in the smaller scale for a bit. It allows for easily easing back into older themes and forward into newer ones.
One of these pieces that just finished yesterday is shown here at the top. It’s a 4″ by 6″ painting that I call Storms Are on the Ocean. I haven’t done a boat painting in some time and thought the smaller format would be the perfect opportunity to re-visit the theme. I am always drawn to the motion in these pieces and the billow of the sail. It reminds me of a fable or a dream in some way that I find appealing.
I thought this would be the perfect match for this week’s Sunday morning music which is the song after which this painting is titled. It’s The Storms Are on the Ocean, a song first done by the legendary Carter Family back in the late 20’s. This version is from June Carter Cash‘s last album, Wildwood Flower, which was released in the year, 2003, after her death. Like the final recordings of her husband, the great Johnny Cash, this album shows her in a fragile state of health which adds greatly to the emotional impact of the songs.
It definitely comes through on this lovely song with its haunting chorus:
The storms are on the ocean
The heavens may cease to be
This world may lose its motion, love
If I prove false to thee
Enjoy and have a great Sunday.
Redtree Times 