Inside: Looking Out …

Another approach …

So, I began a series on Steeples – https://otcarts.com/2022/07/29/old-peach-chapel-inside-looking-out-project/ – a look at the purpose, variety and inspiring beauty of these architectural wonders. This path, spawned another series, “Inside: Looking Out” … the series (short, thus far) that looks at the glory of stained glass windows as seen best: from the inside, looking out (in contrast to the perspective of steeples).

Well, while working on (still another) project, I came upon an idea: combining blind embossing with the Inside: Looking Out series … well, with a couple of core elements of the series: watercolors, windows, and the concept of a inside-out perspective (which, in-and-of itself, has a variety of meanings and applications).

Now, the core-est of elements to both Steeples and Inside:Looking Out … and most-all of my work … is the spiritual aspect.

To achieve that end, I guess I could put a church steeple or a cross on a hill or other visual, golden sun-beams from forbidding clouds … or other some iconic reference, within the view. But, for me, once or twice might be appropriate – even accurate – but becomes a forced item, becomes shallow in context, and … that simply wouldn’t cut it. Forced, limited, and expected. No, that element in my work needs to have a different, sincere source and look.

Truly, and obviously, the spiritual can be found in the natural image: the beauty of nature, or creation. (At some point, I’ll post a discussion of what I believe to be the three elements of makes great art … a Bibli al mandate for the arts … or, maybe I’ve already gone thru that … I’ll research that … ).

Also, please note that the subject matters which lie beyond the window are not meant to be true-to-life, documentations of the actual sites. Just as with the Steeple Project, I was/am not painting portraits of specific churches or landscapes … not at all. Rather, I’m more after spirit and character of the steeple/vista, spirit of the architecture/scene (however sophisticated or prosaic it may be), and the fun and challenge of painting. And, so in the case of this newest path of Inside: Looking Out: I’m after the concept of beginning with the internal and moving outward, with framework, with a focusing, with simplicity and peace of controlled and specified white space … and with trying to get much better at watercolors than I currently am (I struggle!!). And, I do find a peacefulness with the concept and the simplicity of these pieces.

Onward … and more thoughts to come …