Square Foot 2009 - Fairy Willow

Fairy Willow

12" x 12" Acrylic on Canvas

Entry #2 for Square Foot 2009 at the AWOL Gallery. Since I was informed that a lot of artists take the annual Square Foot Show as an opportunity to try something different from their usual style, I decided to enter some pieces that are a little more "relaxed" and abstract.I almost always find myself instinctively painting the image of a graceful willow whenever I feel like painting trees. Often found growing near water and long associated with magic and the underworld in many legends such as that of the Greek goddess Hecate of witchcraft, the tree is veiled with the mysteries of stories long told. Once they were believed to be able to uproot themselves and follow travellers. Some cultures believed they housed kind forest spirits who offered guidance. On a scientific note, the willow also has medicinal properties and were used by the ancient Greeks and Native Americans for common ailments and fevers.

Footsteps in the Forest

While sorting through some old artwork, I came across this book cover design I did for a story I've been meaning to finish writing. In the end it became more of an art experiment than a writing exercise. The whole purpose of this piece done in pastels is to "loosen up" my style by quickly drawing the trees and the branches and blending the colors given the 1 hour time limit I set myself to complete it. This was in order to try to get over my habit of being a little too obsessive compulsive when it came to every minute detail of each piece whether in terms of the visual or symbolic details.

Instead of presenting you with another explanation of the concept I had in mind, I invite you to look at it. Really look and try to see if you can see something hidden. I'm not giving away the answer for now since it's always interesting to hear other people's theories on what they see in a particular piece before hearing my take on it.