Oil on canvas, 36 X 40 inches. The evolution of the painting took close to nine years and began with “The Bridge View on the River” painted by Andre Derain.
Using large areas of color (green in the foreground with red and yellow across the middle and background) mimicking Derain’s water and sky I then used random quick gesture lines.
After washing my brushes I walked away for a day. When I returned and sat in front of the painting I saw images emerge, first the triangle of female figures towards the center of the painting and then the dancing male towards the right side of the work. In the foreground fish leapt from the green water and later the two young boys and swallow completed the composition.
After washing my brushes I walked away for a day. When I returned and sat in front of the painting I saw images emerge, first the triangle of female figures towards the center of the painting and then the dancing male towards the right side of the work.
In the foreground fish leapt from the green water and later the two young boys and swallow completed the composition.
Over more time the faces in bubbles began to materialize. What began abstractly evolved into a realistic metaphor that I called “Hello”.
“Hello” typically represents a greeting, this painting looks at not just someone, but with something or somewhere. Sometimes the situation is desirable, as in this work where the figures are inspired to dance or sit upright when touched by music.
Other times the “hello” is stopping to look at the world around us, as the boy viewing the fish in the water. Lastly, it can be easy to turn away from something uncomfortable, ambiguous, unknown or challenging.
In a world teeming with examples that say “leave me alone” and “go away”, it is my hope that this painting will inspire others to step towards, extending a virtual hand to say “hello”.