I really enjoyed working on this one. I liked it because I did it from imagination and memory rather
than looking at an image. While I enjoy doing representational works derived from photos, it
was refreshing to do something different. It put the fun back into it for me. This one is based on my
recollection of how on a clear night where I grew up, the night sky would teem with stars. It doesn't look like this where I live now by the beach. Too much marine layer and too many city lights. The
nights simply aren't as dark here- artificial lighting is everywhere. For instance, if the shades are open in my bedroom- I can literally read in bed with no lights on. Artificial lighting is not necessarily good for us- it messes with our circadian rhythms. Sometimes you'll hear a bird chirping at 3am-they're confused because the streetlights are so bright that it could be morning. When I go home to visit my parents, I'm struck by how dark and how quiet it is. The only light comes from the moon, and the only noise you hear are the sounds of nature, which are soft and subtle instead of street noise in the city. I have to say though don't really mind street noise- I'm so used to it that
I find it strangely soothing.
After finishing this one, a friend and I set all 10 paintings out the other night and looked at them together as a group. It was an interesting thing to do. Even though I consider this one quite
different than the others because of the way I did it, it still looked like my work. I'm wondering if this piece may be a turning point in this series for me. I've been wanting to move into a more imaginative direction so maybe this piece is a bridge to that. I have no idea what my next piece will be, but I kind of like that- it feels like freedom.
Painting #10
18" x 24"
acrylic on canvas
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