Sentinels, Remnants and Roots

"Three Sentinels" (Detail)

30" x 30"

 

Remnants

It's been a little quiet in this virtual space.  But I've been keeping up with what's been going on in others' studios by making my rounds of the blogosphere.   And I haven't been totally idle in my own studio.  The detail, above, is of the painting that's currently demanding my focus.  It's a spare, rather minimalist painting at this point; 30" x 30" on wrapped canvas.  I like it spare. It's front and center in my field of vision as I move through our house; with each passing, trying to decide whether to add some graphite line details or leave well enough alone.

My husband's family has deep roots on this Washington peninsula; akin to these old (but shallow) sprawling roots of the spruce tree that might have stood there more than a hundred years ago, before the bay claimed the land. 



"Roots"

Monoprint with vintage stamp

4" x 6" 

I did this monoprint over a year ago, long before I came upon the spruce roots.  Each time I have viewed the print since then, I have rotated it back and forth, vertically, to determine if I liked the image best when it evoked downward or upward growth.  I finally committed to the roots orientation a few weeks ago and added the collage elements.  And then I discovered the gorgeous remnants of the spruce.

Happy Weekend!