30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day Twenty-Two

"Moon Face" - mixed media on cradled board, 12" x 12".  Ready for hanging.

Day 22!  The day before a full moon, with the eastern half of the country under wintery weather (or cool rain, here in Florida).  The perfect day for a cup of tea, a blanket and a book.  But here in the studio, with the rain pattering on the skylights, it is still 30 in 30 and the painting continues!  More lunar inspiration, this one on cradled hardboard instead of canvas.  Board (and its cousin, Aquabord) are my two favorite surfaces.  Board allows scraping and gouging and smoothness and woodgrain, easy collaging and a silkiness I can't get from canvas.   When doodling, board allows the pen to glide smoothly and the lines to be true.  This piece met my goal of 90% using non-brush tools.

My moon-themed pieces so far have all included luna, but today she demanded a solo performance!

The face in the moon has always fascinated me.  It has seemed wise and kind to me, never spooky or threatening. I find it reassuring and protective up there in the night sky.  So it got me to wondering - what (or who) is the face in the moon?

The Algonquins have a traditional story of the medicine woman in the moon.  A powerful healer decides she wants more knowledge, including to know when the earth will end.  The Great Spirit advises her to hide from other people, and in time she will be told.  So the medicine woman decides to seclude herself on the moon, where she waits for the answer to her question.  It is said the face in the moon is that of the medicine woman, weaving and cooking and waiting.

Other traditions hold the image in the moon is a rabbit (East-Asian cultures), a pair of hands (India) or even a tree or a toad.    New Zealanders join the Algonquins in attributing the face to a woman, Rona, who disrespected the moon and is serving out her penance there.

Scientists say our moon-gazing brains are basically taking a random image and trying to assign meaning to it.  Which, according to them, our brains actually find meaning about 50% of the time.  So those would be pretty good odds if you were playing the lottery!  

In the meantime, I will continue to moon gaze (and cloud gaze and star gaze) and let my brain do its thing, just because it gives me joy and inspiration  (well and maybe the medicine woman in the moon could help me with this cough...)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS PIECE ON ETSY

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​Today's Adoption Event:

Another two for one! "Sandy" and "Misty", mixed media on cradled board, 6" x 6" x 2".  Ready for hanging (or stacking).

Two adorable girls in search of hugs, cookies and a bedtime story.   From the island of misfit art, these orphans are eagerly awaiting their forever home!  They would love to perch on your bookshelf between your copies of Charlotte's Web and Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang.  They are quiet, well-mannered and full of smiles.  Willing to walk the dog (but not pick up poo), together these lovable lasses are guaranteed to bring whimsy and playtime to your home.

Adoption fee: $25 (shipping included).  Contact Jen at mailto:imajenation@gmail.com to make adoption arrangements.

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