The paint is still drying…

And another canvas has been sketched out and is ready to go. Painting is my favorite way of “speaking.” Too much of my life has been dominated by expressions from the thinking and overly analytical mind. I’m learning to trust, more and more, what my subjects have to say to me through colors and brushstrokes.  This new piece, “Surrender” (an oil painting on canvas) tells me how important letting go has become—and the freedom that comes from releasing attachments and a need to control.

A glimpse into how “Surrender” came into being

Rather than giving a step-by-step verbal explanation of my process, I thought I’d share with you the different stages visually as this piece came to life. I’m always curious when viewing other artists’ finished paintings, how each person works, and how a canvas goes from concept to a fully realized vision. So, I’m giving you a peek into my process with a few photos that take you from the rough initial sketch to the finished piece. You’ll see that I work from what I consider the key focal point and then I build outward, building balance and contrast along the way.

Water as a symbol of the collective unconscious

Maybe painting the human form in water is my soul’s desire to make this deeper connection, to realize I am not just a small, separate self. And maybe, “Surrender” is my soul’s desire to let go into the bigness that my thinking brain can’t comprehend.

I hope you’ll enjoy this visual evolution of “Surrender.” Further details can be found here. And I hope you’ll take a look at my entire water series which will continue to expand.