When the ocean and the earth collide

When the ocean and earth collide was really a fun project for me.  I began painting it several months ago, but got stuck in a bit of a creative rut.  Once I had the foundation, I just couldn't see where else I wanted to go with this piece. I put it aside for several months, staring at it everyday, wondering  what would become of it. It was not until a few weeks ago, that I decided to continue with this painting, even though I didn't completely feel confident about it.  I just told myself; "go for it".  The more colour I added to the painting, the more I wanted to keep adding. Slowly I saw these lovely organic shapes and lines come to life.  From then on, it all flowed quite well.  Every time I added paint, I saw it's life begin to emerge and grow.  Something was blooming, bursting, exploding. A new life was making way.  

There's also a large element of water in the painting. Like some of my other work, it reminds me of coral reefs, algae, sea vegetables, and marine life. But even more so, it makes me think of the life that oceans themselves contain.  That raw life force.  

I took a photo of my painting with my dog, so you can get a feel for the size.  I will start posting the actual dimensions of my paintings, as soon as I find my measuring tape!

Below is a photo of the painting when I had first started working on it. I also changed it's original direction.

Sailing the Pacific

When I look at this piece of work, I imagine an old Spanish Ship wandering the coastlines of Central America, looking for a new world, a  type of paradise.

Fistful of teeth

The original idea I had in mind for this painting was not about teeth at all. As the painting progressed, it brought to mind several different things, like cocoons, honeycombs, a worm's body.....I knew I wanted some red in there, and as I started adding the colour in, it began to take on an image of what I think looks like gums and teeth.  It also looks like there is a fist coming at me.  Kind of looks like a scrunched up hand, punching through the painting. But why the teeth and gums?

When I finished it, I took a long look at it and it made me think of my ex dentist! And the terrible job she did on my tooth recently which caused me to have to get a root canal. 

Maybe I was trying to get my frustrations out? lol

And maybe I just was seeing what I wanted to see.

When I look at the painting, I see it as a fist telling me to back off, or eat it! I feel it has a somewhat  aggressive element to it. Not completely the way I envisioned it, but it's interesting nonetheless.

 On a side note, Fistful of Teeth is also a Gwar song!