Go big or don't bother. Well, not entirely true but I REALLY like painting large. It's just that there is not always a market for it. Like where would you but a baby this big?

But big makes such a, well......... BIG IMPACT. It's impressive. It demands to be noticed. It says I'm important and have an earnest message. And the message is usually some form of, "I'm larger than life." 

Here's a painting that I did recently for an international art competition. One of the reasons this contest is so great is because it lets the artist go big, if they want. Most don't. It's usually a gallery space issue. And shipping. And stuff. 

Most of my paintings end up too big to enter competitions. It's a problem but I usually just paint the size the content dictates. So sometimes, go big or don't bother, should be, go big and don't bother. But I still paint big anyways. I can't help myself. 

It is wedding #3 this week so I have to stay focused but I had to do a very quick post. I haven't been doing much creating when it comes to paintings. (Though I have been very wedding creative these last couple of months.)  Thought I'd share what I wish I could finish.

I thought it would be a very cool idea to paint a painting for my kids when they got married. That was the plan. The reality - 3 DIY weddings in 1 1/2 months just made it a crazy idea. If only we lived in a perfectly timed world. Anyway, here is the only one that I got started - Logan and the Lion Tamer. It's the underpainting. I'm hoping that I get a life back after this week and finish it (and start the other two).

Hope Series • Allegory of Healing

This is a piece that was a long time in the making really. When I saw the photos I had taken it reminded me of the hopelessness people can feel. Specifically, this is one of my daughters and it brought back memories of her life. And while painting it I had lots of time to reflect on our relationship and her life. 

She was born with a congenital anomaly that required surgeries and left her with some difficulties. They were the hardest to deal with during her childhood. And her care required physical pain. At one point, the strain became too much for her little 7 year old soul and she cried, "I wish I could die!" At that moment, I would have given anything to take her pain away. I yearned to do something. But couldn't. It was impossible. 

Searching for something, past her pain and mine, the thing that came to me was comfort and hope. I could give her the power of hope. A perspective past that moment. A view of the source from which strength comes. A balm for her wounded heart. 

I've thought of my own times of hopelessness and what it has been that has given me comfort and hope. Time and again, my greatest help and hope has come from the powers of heaven. This painting is about those critical junctures of life where we choose - hope or hopelessness. 

My daughter isn't 7 anymore. But, whether 7, 17, or 70, at those defining periods, I hope she will look to the windows of heavens, reach out to what is being offered, and have faith in the healing power of hope.

Symbolism
Some of the symbolism I see - 
     • When hopeless the foundation beneath you can feel as though it's deteriorating. Crumbling or melting away
     • We all have vessels that need to be filled
     • Personal revelation flows from heaven to us but we have to be willing and ready to receive it
     • There is no certain time frame to healing and hope will be need time and again
     • There is a healing balm within our reach

What do you see?

Here is a series of photos from an oil painting study I did recently for a larger painting I'm doing later .
Painting title: I Love You.