duck duck goose the beginning

I decided it was time for a bit of light hearted humor after the long process of the bodhi tree.

I like using unexpected color pallets when doing these type of paintings to try to move people beyond the automatic reaction of "look there is a  ......." and hopefully give the viewer the chance to connect with the piece in a more intimate and emotional way. the painting is going through what i call the ugly phases right now and I always have to convince myself to work through the ugly to find the beauty waiting to be released (kind of like life sometimes), but I find that if I stick without I find the beauty.

assemblage swap

I entered a swap on swap bot that was an assemblage/shrine swap. An area I have not ever really explored in art. I was assigned a partner who I had to make a piece for based on her suggestions of what types of things she likes. The person I was assigned to likes gothic, death, coffins etc...

This piece took a while to come together in my mind but once I got rolling it went fairly quickly. The poem (which is in the lid) is actually a poem a had written some time ago. A bit on the dark side but fitting for this piece I thought. I slowly burned and smoked the paper to try and create the effect of paper pulled from the ashes, it is a bit hard to see in the picture but I think it turned out well.

Bodhi Tree

I am so excited I have finally completed the Bodhi Tree! I ran into trouble when I reached the leaves as it took a lot more leaves (and material) then I had anticipated. In the end though it was worth the extra time and effort I am pleased with the results. I am looking forward to starting my next piece.