When I think about what I want to paint I have many choices that appeal to me. I always like to paint trees and not so realistic landscapes. Usually, my trees and landscapes have a metaphorical aspect to them. Occasionally, an idea will come to me straight from my unconscious with little awareness of meaning to me. When that happens, it is always a challenge for me to try to intellectually and psychologically explore the concept that I have decided to paint. Many of my paintings have given me and others an idea of what may be lurking in my unconscious. For example, I have painted chairs in a jungle, ladders in a meadow and a tree leaving home.
Portals
Heaven’s Door, acrylic on canvas, 16×20.
©2012, Ann Hart Marquis
Last year I had such an experience with four paintings that I completed. They were of doors that were somehow associated with water. Some people saw the doors as monoliths or pillars. Perhaps they are. While I was paintings this series, I gave little thought to the meaning of individual images. After I finished four paintings my practical self told me to stop. I stopped. I did not allow myself to explore more images of portals, thresholds, or entrances although I now see that there are hints of doorways in subsequent paintings.
Untethered, acrylic on canvas, 24×24.
©2012, Ann Hart Marquis
Passage, acrylic on canvas, 16×20.
©2012, Ann Hart Marquis
Stone Voices
Adrift, acrylic on canvas, 24×24.
©2012, Ann Hart Marquis
Much to my surprise this was a successful group of paintings. Two sold before I could formally show them and two were in my last show. One of them Adrift (left), received the Best in Show award for “The River” competition in the art and poetry journal, Stone Voices, Summer Issue.
Once in a while I look at these images and still try to figure out what I was trying to say. Sometimes doors are the opposite of entry ways. They can be blockades, barriers, obstructions. I am not sure what metaphor they represent or why they are in the water.
Do you have any insights for me?
Hi Ann,
I had a thought on the doors on water series. Perhaps you are feeling the inner thrill of your success in your painting career, all doors opening, creative juices flowing, much movement, many currents. Love to you, Patti
Patti,
What a lovey way to interpret my paintings. I don’t feel that all the doors are opening, but many are and my creative juices are flowing. Thank you for your lovely comment. Love to you too
Bravo, Anne; I am impsressed with the scope of your blog. I am doubly impressed with the scope of your work, including the Portals Series, which is so different than the nature work of yours that I am more familiar with. The spirit and largess of your interests is inspiring to this guy. Much love and gratitude. Leo
Hi Leo, thank you so much for posting on my blog. It means a lot to me. I am enjoying being philosophical about art and including other artists in my posts. I am starting to paint in a much more abstract way and I look forward to getting feedback from you in the future. Love.