in flight i stand
24"x24"
oil, paper, watercolor, faux leather, jute and recycled metal
on a 2x4 hand stretched canvas
inspired by steven kings the stand
part of the series for the love of literature in flight i stand is an autobiography. it has been brewing for many long years and has come to be in it’s most perfect timing…as all things given space to grow into themselves do. there are over two decades of strong development represented here and too many personal layers to count. at the core, it is all about the greatness of good, versus, not-so-good and the freedom and will it took to find it. in flight i stand is a tribute to the mountain climb that, in the end, gave me to myself. it celebrates the permission and the confidence that finds one in self love and the hard fought battle it took to get there.
in technical focus, it is so perfectly and predictably me, pushing oil on a (hand stretched and prepped) 2x4 canvas. the flowers, made from recycled copper-coated scrap metal and wire, a nod with great respect and significance, to hard life long lived. the stems are cuts of jute, faux leather strap and strand.
the butterfly papers are actual page/s from one of my favorite novels “the stand” written by stephen king. each butterfly is made from a specific page, a page that highlights a favorite quote. each page/butterfly was stained with watercolor and ripped to size. the choice to use origami to create the butterflies was inspired by a friend, origami artist bea, and were a deliberate confrontation as they represent a historic challenge of their own. gratefully, in this happy ending, they are also a beautiful success. they alone were a demonstration of how far i’ve come, a testimonial to considerable growth within a venerable working space.
as my working process always goes, in flight i stand, was beautifully healing and a wonderful act of acceptance and celebration. it is rich in material, depth and texture in both lovely and hard emotional content and the physical material processes. it is strong but soft and firm but forgiving. it is every bit as full of grace in a spirited story as it is in it's visual softness.
art is an emotional experience for me, to say the least. this piece, in particular, demonstrates and speaks of the many layers of experience and reflection, the many stages and steps that found me safely in a good place. an epic journey pretty much sums it up….well that, and a “happily ever after”. i hope it is every bit as good to you as it has been to me.
24"x24"
oil, paper, watercolor, faux leather, jute and recycled metal
on a 2x4 hand stretched canvas
inspired by steven kings the stand