Painting is the pattern of one’s own nervous system being projected on canvas.
—Francis Bacon
********************
I am still in the midst of processing this new painting for myself, trying to determine what it is saying to me. For now, I am calling this 16″ by 20″ canvas Sustenance. There is something about the pattern of the sky filled with rays containing smaller strokes that remind me of surging atoms. Maybe it’s my own nervous system being projected as Bacon says above or maybe it is an energy that feeds everything. The ubiquitous energy that transforms into vibrant, richly colored life.
I am still not sure.
You might notice that this is not a Red Tree. Yes, this is the rare Green Tree. Coming to the end of this painting, I decided on green as a contrast to the reds and oranges I had used for the land around the tree. It just felt right from a design standpoint and I think it works here.
It has emerged better than I had originally thought it might when I was working on it. But, as I said, I am still taking this in. There are a lot of things in this simple painting that speak to me but I still can’t exactly put them into words.
And I kind of like that it doesn’t have an obvious read for me, that it leaves me without words. So, I will stop now and just try to figure out what those words are…
Redtree Times 
What a surprise. I felt like saying, “Who are you, and what have you done with the Red Tree?” Once I got over that, and looked a bit more, I found myself really liking it. It’s a perfect tree for spring.
In my defense, even though it is a green tree you do get a sense of red from the underpainting that shows through. But I like that it comes as a surprise.
On Thu, Feb 18, 2016 at 8:10 AM, Redtree Times wrote:
>
Beautiful painting! My first thought was “Pathways”, but, as usual, your title “Sustenance” is perfect, and implies a so much fuller meaning. I love the quote too.
I like “Pathways” as well, Jackie. I will no doubt “borrow” it!
On Thu, Feb 18, 2016 at 8:34 AM, Redtree Times wrote:
>
I really like your recent work with skies.
Thanks, Ed. I’ve been enjoying these explorations with the sky and textures as well. We’ll see where it goes.
On Thu, Feb 18, 2016 at 9:13 PM, Redtree Times wrote:
>
This painting speaks to me of the relationship between the sun and green things. The wavy things coming from the sun make me think of the solar wind. The sun is emitting charged particles everywhere, but it’s light sustains the earth, nourishing the plants, providing light and heat to our world. It also reminds me of a piece by John Jude Palencar here: http://www.tor.com/2012/02/29/introducing-the-palencar-project/ Palencar is an interesting artist whose work I’ve followed. If you are not familiar with him, you might check him out. His work has a very “egg tempera” feel to me reminiscent of Andrew Wyeth. He does a lot of book cover illustrations, which is where I first encountered his work.
Thanks for the info on Palencar. I wasn’t aware of his work but it is really compelling and beautifully done. I’m going to be looking him up a bit more.
On Sat, Feb 20, 2016 at 12:50 PM, Redtree Times wrote:
>