The Allure— Now at the West End Gallery
Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.
― Rumi
A lot of paintings have bodies of water in them. Most likely, this is a result of living in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. I don’t take advantage of this proximity to the water very often but just having it nearby has an effect.
There’s always a thrill in coming over a ridge and having the lake roll out below you. At such times I sometimes feel like I’ve stumbled on a scene from a snowglobe with the lake at its bottom and a huge dome of cool, clear air over it.
That thrill of seeing the water and air and land merging together creates a pull of its own. This attraction is common to all people. From the folks around the lakes to those at the edges of the great oceans and seas to those who live alongside the rivers of this world. I built a pond here years ago just so water was never far out of sight.
The allure of water is certainly powerful.
And that is part of what I see in this new painting, The Allure, which is from my upcoming West End Gallery show. The title refers to allure of water as well as other forms of attraction– the pull of the sun, the open road, the far horizon, or the security of home.
We are all drawn by those things– people, places, tastes, art, etc.– that we cannot always explain or deny. And maybe we shouldn’t attempt to do so. Perhaps we should just trust our mysterious instincts and allow ourselves to be drawn by those things we love.
Hopefully, as Rumi, the 13th century Persian poet, wrote above, it will not lead us astray.
This year’s edition of my annual solo exhibit, Chaos & Light, opens Friday, July 22, at the West End Gallery in Corning, NY. There is an opening reception that runs from 5-7 PM. Harpist Meredith Bocek will be performing in the Upstairs Gallery.
I will be in attendance and will be wearing my mask since I am cautious and also anticipate speaking with quite a few folks. However, the gallery is not requiring that you wear a mask. That is left to your own determination based on your personal comfort and risk levels.
Hope to see you there.
Redtree Times 