There is something so universal about a mountain scape. We can recognise a place by viewing the mountain in the distance.
My recent work contemplates this notion of mountain, place and self and the power of connection to earth and sky. My studio has a view of Mount Chincogan and I have found myself looking at the ever changing colours and climate surrounding the mountain. Each minute a new painting is essentially painted by Nature. It is astounding to witness.
Yesterday I was walking back from town and a lady directed my gaze up to the sky towards an eagle flying higher and higher. She commented on how that was the meaning to her and for me it might mean something different. Just before this lady stopped me I was thinking deeply about a big decision I had to make.
The lady on the path said to me, if it doesn't feel right in your gut, then it probably isn't right. There was a funeral on at the Catholic Church and an eagle soaring high in the sky all in the same moment. The lady was telling me that a friend of a friend recently passed away unexpectedly. 'We don't know when our time will be up', she said. Powerful stuff.
I told the lady about the decision I had to make and I said, 'its the humble things that bring me joy not big, fancy things.'
There was my answer. Pure and simple. In that moment it was as if it came through to me from the heavens. My whole being realised its truth in that moment. It was about life, direction, staying focused, working towards goals and enjoying the little things along the way and about staying connected to myself.
I woke up today with an urge to paint. To paint this story onto a canvas. The mountain appeals to me because it represents solidity and this is the quality I am searching for; stability of home, place and self. I crave to just be in a place, to stop wandering from town to town. The mountain is the sage or 'wise one' telling me to slow down, look and listen. Listen close to the ancient stories of our ancestors and don't take one more day for granted, for tomorrow may be your last.
The painting was created in an Impressionistic way (whilst looking directly at the mountain), En plein air ("in the open air") painted directly onto the canvas (with no attempt to pencil it in first). I also painted fast and adapted areas to the changing atmospheric conditions. Painted from 1.30 - 3.30pm Thursday 8th May 2014.
Acrylic, and Ink on linen. 61 x 61 cm
This painting will be available for purchase at Moonrise Studios Mullumbimby very soon, hopefully in the month of June 2014. For enquiries please email me allevaprintmaker@gmail.com
