“There’s
no place like home.” says Dorothy in the final scenes of The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy journeyed to the Land of Oz and had
many adventures along the way. From the
yellow brick road to the lollipop kids to the ruby slippers to the Emerald city
the adventure story is full of color. But in the end the road led her back to what
she wanted and needed—home.
We
have entered the time of year when color has faded to shades of gray. It’s cold and spring travel down another
yellow brick road is but a dream. I was
recently wondering what I could paint. I
wanted fresh, real subject matter. Taking a lesson from Dorothy, I “traveled”
around my house with “artist’s eyes” to see if I could find what I needed right
at home.
Here
is some of what I found in my “Kansas”.
 |
| "Bookmark" 12 x 12 oil on copper |
 |
| Sketch of Poppa's bed-painting idea |
 |
| "Our Daily Bread" 8 x 8 oil on copper |
 |
| Sketch of dining room shadows--painting idea |
I'm still exploring. There are closets, bathrooms, and more bedrooms . . . My home—it’s full of exactly the themes I’ve been trying to paint this past year, spaces of intimacy, quietness, informality, of familiarity, comforting routines, and happy memories. It’s been around me all along!
Be safe as you travel to visit your families and friends in these last weeks of 2013. When you return home refreshed, experience with new eyes the comforts of home in 2014.
My
paintings are available at Cary Gallery of Artists 200 S. Academy St. in
downtown Cary Ashworth Village. 919-462-2035 Mon-Sat 11 am - 5:30 pm.
LIKE ME on
