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"Give Voice to the Fire" - mixed media on aquabord, 16" x 20".  Ready to frame, or can be leaned against a wall upon a shelf.  Available on Artfinder.

Exhaustion.  The result of too many late nights and early mornings. Which are the result of a hoard of twenty-somethings camping at the house.  It's been a long time since I was twenty, and the hours they keep are brutal. I am looking forward to an appropriately geriatric bedtime this evening.
This piece is a response to the prompt: ANGER.  It was a particularly difficult challenge, as I have spent decades giving anger the big boot, mostly by making sure I expressed it instead of letting it fester, but also by taking things less personally whenever possible.

As I painted, the music playing contained the lyric (and now title to this piece) give voice to the fire.  Ah. There it was.  So I allowed fire to be the catalyst for the art (see early in the process photo on the right).  After many twists and turns, I felt the fire slowly calming, softening, sputtering, turning into embers in the sky until all was calm again.  The last voice of the fire whispers in the night sky.
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This is the last blog post before I head to Ireland for a month long residency at the Olive Stack Gallery.  I'll be using the next ten days to pack, repack, explain to Pongo where I'm going to be, and then maybe have some turkey before I go.  Once in Ireland, I will resume painting and blogging, including some posts on the gallery blog.  If you followed along with me on my last trip to Listowel (August 2016), then you will surely recognize the cast of characters!  If not, you are in for a real treat.  There is nothing quite like Listowel - it is a magical place indeed.

Until then, happy turkeyness to  you, dear reader!  Wishing you a full belly and the joy of family.  I am off to drag my large suitcase out of the attic. :)
8 Comments
Dotty Seiter - 8 years ago
Jen, love the embers in Give Voice, love seeing a bit of its development, love hearing how it got its title, love reading its story in your words!

I am just so excited about your upcoming residency in Ireland! Holy moly! What a gift. I had no idea. AWESOME!
jen - 8 years ago
Thank you, Dotty! I wasn't sure I could paint this one, given how sleep-deprived I was. But something about exhaustion makes me more open to the muse, I think. And HOLY GREEN PASTURES I can't believe I get to go back there a second time! So honored and thrilled. I will post lots of pics here in my blog so you can travel with me!
fran milinski - 8 years ago
Always enjoy your posts. I would comment everyday, but I refrain. Just wanted to wish you safe and happy travels. Looking forward to experiencing your adventure with you.
jen - 8 years ago
Fran!!!! Thank you for taking time to comment! And please feel free to do so any time at all! I cannot WAIT to share my Irish adventures with you. A truly amazing residency! The countdown begins!
Stan Kurth - 8 years ago
Just can't picture you angry.

"Give Voice to the Fire" with its ethereal flow actually has a calming effect on me. Nice!
jen - 8 years ago
Stan! Thank you! That's what I found....giving it a voice and then letting it fizzle in its own time was kind of calming and surprising. Really appreciate your feedback. :) I don't get angry often, but I am a Leo, so can get pretty riled up on behalf of others in my pride of lions!
Carl - 8 years ago
Beautiful piece! Have an amazing and productive residency in Ireland.
jen - 8 years ago
Carl! Thank you so much!!!! That's the plan! Now how to live out of one suitcase for a month...

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