Everything That Glitters

Everything That Glitters

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Everything That Glitters
Oil on wood
11.75 x 11.75 x 1.75
This item can be used as an altar space, flat on a surface, or hung on the wall as a pre-framed piece of art.  (Click on the image to purchase)

Our minds are like crows.  They pick up everything that glitters, no matter how uncomfortable our nests get with all that metal in them. - THOMAS MERTON

​I don’t know how your mind operates, but mine often feels over-full, stuffed with metal, uncomfortable.  Too many thoughts, worries, anticipations and too little clear, empty spaces.

This piece is a reminder of our crow-minds.  A gentle suggestion to leave those excess thoughts here with the crow instead of cluttering our heads.

It's easier said than done, I realize.   A daily practice of writing down and setting down that clutter can help.  As does observing and challenging those thoughts as they arise.

If only I could hand each cluttered thought to Rocky and ask him to fly away with it.

As it stands, he will fly away with worms, peanuts, pecans, peanut butter sandwiches and eggs.  Sigh.  I suppose we both need a little more training. 

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About the art:  an intuitive piece which was spontaneously created after the crows returned from the murder season and began hanging out and talking to us again.   Beginning with a rough sketch of the crow in wet oil paint, working from the outside in with loose strokes and a wide brush, then from the inside-out with a detail brush.  Resisting the urge to overly define the background and allowing the mystery of a crow in the suggested nighttime to dominate the piece.  The frame is painted in matte black gesso, and the painting itself has been finished with a heavy coat of varnish to provide protection in the event it is used as an altar.

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Holy macaroons!  Is it the end of May already?  Many thanks to all who read, listened to and shared the blog this month.  And all the commenters - thanks hugely! Your thoughtful words and responses to the art and writing informs my creative process, and I am deeply grateful. :)

Congratulations to Kris and to Dotty!  Wonder Mike chose your names at random this month as winners of the May Reader Giveaway!  Send your mailing addresses to [email protected] and your prizes will be in the mail lickety-split!  

​A new giveaway begins next month!