Painting video of the under-painting for Lighthouse, Commission
Hendricks Lighthouse, Maine
Lighthouse, Commission, Oil, 46x24in"
I painted over the below image, using it as an under-painting, to assist me in creating the above final product for the commission. I did not video the final periods of painting which led to the fantastic outcome above.
The completion of this painting was the result of several layers and tubes of paint and the triumph of joy and grace over doubt and discouragement. The hardest aspect of painting a commission is forming a composition of colors and strokes that genuinely speak to the client. Each commission strengthens me as an artist. The client's eye for what they love about my style often propels me forward to a new depth, searching to further develop it. In the case of this lighthouse the client's family continually expressed their enjoyment of the thick "goopy" layers of paint, resulting in a texture that enhances the painting's voice. Their encouragement freed me to trust my instinct. The difference texture makes in my painting style is evident when comparing the thinly applied under-painting below and the texture filled goopy layered painting above.
Under-Painting for the above commission
24x46in
Oil on canvas
Lighthouses bring assurance and guidance to travelers. When the weather is dark and rough the beam of light orients man, when otherwise his way may be lost. When the weather is clear the lighthouse is radiant and brings comfort to thought as it stands as a reminder that even in the darkest hour it will guide.
The Constitution of the United States of America is the USA's working lighthouse.
A scholar pointed out to me the subtlety of the use of the word "MORE" in the first clause of the Constitution: "in order to form a more perfect Union." The writers of the Constitution intended it to be a working document, forever in need of improvement to bring to light an even "more perfect Union."
My friend and scholar shared the following analogy with me that if someone wrote a document on how to be a perfect artist the document would always be incomplete. It would be incomplete because thought is constantly advancing. There is no recipe for becoming a perfect artist. This is also true for forming a perfect Union.
The Constitution guides our country to forming a more perfect union. And must be elevated and corrected according to the advancement of human thought.
The Constitution of the United States of America is the USA's "working" lighthouse. The first line reads:
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."