School Report on Golden Chalice

I received a nice email yesterday from a junior high school student that wanted to do an art report on my work, in particular, my painting Golden Chalice. I have never had such a request and I felt very honored.

She had asked me for some background information on my painting and inspiration behind Golden Chalice. I thought I would share my response with you here, perhaps to shed a little more insight into my work.

Golden Chalice, 2009. Oil and oilbar on canvas, 56 x 78.

Here’s my response:

I am a native of Colorado, and Golden Chalice is inspired by the Colorado skies I have come to know so well. I create my paintings from things I have imagined, memories, places I want to go, and beautiful skies that I would like to see. Golden Chalice is a sky that I imagined. I want to create the sense of peace, serenity and beauty in this painting. My goal as an artist is to transport the viewer of the painting away from worries to a more peaceful place. I feel we could all use more moments of tranquility. That is what I strive to do with my work.

I like to make large paintings because I feel the large paintings best communicate the vast and infinite sky. I like my paintings to engulf the viewer, so that when looking at my paintings, all that is in the immediate range of sight is sky. I love vibrant, bright colors, which is why I chose such strong colors in Golden Chalice. I imagine Golden Chalice to be a late evening summer sky, just as the sun is setting. It is right after a storm, and the dark clouds are moving away from the setting sun, allowing for a beautiful display of color and light. I love the idea that after a storm there can be such a stunning sky. I find it very hopeful.

Golden Chalice took me a month to create, working every day. I don't always have a very clear idea of the way the painting will turn out until I start working. As I am painting I decide how it will evolve. I don't do any planning or sketching beforehand. I just let my mind wander.