Title: Paradise
Found
Medium: Oil paint,
Austrian crystals, and sterling silver, copper and aluminum
metal leaf on three hinged birch wood artisan made
panels.
Size:
Dimensions: Center 36”x15 ¾, Side Panels
28”x8”. Apx. total open size is 36" x 36"
Year: 1998
This retablo, created in the ex-voto style of my New
Mexican ancestors is painted in gratitude for the blessing of
realization that I am in the right place. I saw this woman in
Maui, Hawaii, kneeling on the side of a bridge on the Road to
Hana. As perfectly beautiful as she was physically, more
compelling was her complete happiness. She was sure of her
place in the world and within the generosity of the forest, she
was was forming tropical forest leaves into bowls and wreaths
(like the one on her head) to sell to travelors as they drove
by on the 5 mph. curves of the road. The image of her stayed
with me and developed an importance I didn't fully understand
until I painted this retablo. I also was at trully at home. My
forest is the images that flow into my mind and work their way
through my body as they manifest into paintings that I sell to
travelors on their path through life. And like her empty bowls,
my images have room for interpretation within them. When I
painted this image I realized that I had already accepted the
happiness of my life, and that is a blessing.
Center panel
An Angel soars tranquilly above a vessel nestled in the
garden. Lively red leaves and swirling forms spring from the
vessel as they reach towards the copper sky, studded with the
occasional Austrian crystal among the flying floral motifs.
Side Panels
On the left panel a woman kneels on the rich blood-red soil,
offering an empty bowl she's made from tropical leaves.
On the right panel a fig tree springs from a mound of blood red
colored soil. The flowers that adorn the woman's hair are
sprinkled among the flora.
Backside of the
altar
The ex-voto folds to reveal back panels painted with patterns
and flowers floating in a silver sea. The stunning
aluminum leaf background is achieved with a mixture of metal
leaf applications and oil paint.
To
Commission a retablo or santos for your relationship, contact
me.
