Serenity

9×12” Acrylic on unmounted carved linoleum

I hardly ever have any narrative in mind when I do a painting. I sketch things that I think are kind of neat, and some of those turn into paintings for the same reason. I just think it might be something cool to look at. But then as I continue with the painting, or sometimes not until after it’s done, I start to find meaning in it.

And that’s what happened here. I don’t know why I put the insect flying out of the plants growing out of the top of the person’s head, but as I painted, I thought that it represented unwanted and distracting buzzing thoughts leaving. Then I thought oh wait, the growth represents nature and a natural state of peace and a loving place where life can thrive.

At first, I thought the person was going to be a man, but it naturally developed into something with more androgenous characteristics that really represents just any human being at peace with themself and the world around them. And then as I looked further, I thought that it was a timeless representation of an evolved humanity.

Timeless.

So when I look at this artwork now I think of how many civilizations and cultures have come and gone over the eons, how those lives mattered so deeply to the people that lived then, every bit as much as our own personal lives and loves and sorrows, our wars and conflicts, our joys matter to us right now in each of our personal journeys. And how forgotten they are now. 

As we too will some day be forgotten. I think about how some day our own era will be an ancient time for archeologists to study and puzzle out. I wonder what future generations thousands of years from now, with their own joys and sorrows, will make of our time.

And I wonder what those times will be like for humanity.

Do you like it? If you do, imagine what fun it would be having this original artwork delivered right to your door (like where else would it get delivered?).

This is unmounted linoleum, so it will need to be professionally framed.

If you do like this painting, please share – because it really helps!

All work is for sale, Pay What You Want. Seriously. I don’t believe that original art should be available only to those with deep pockets. Not every art lover has deep pockets. So just tell me what price works for you. (You pay the shipping, though.😊)