I finished this new artwork, called “Seer”, around two weeks ago. I really love the way it came together, but I haven’t been sure what I have to say about it.
I guess I’ll start at the beginning.. I did a sketch four or five years ago of these hands, these folded woman’s hands, zipped together beautifully (I thought). But I wasn’t sure how or when to use them, so I moved on. Then earlier this summer I had an idea how I might..
This picture didn’t turn out like I’d originally imagined. I thought this would be a serene woman’s face with them folded hands, hair covered in a white shawl, the background being white on whites with lace vegetable and flower shapes. But then as I started hinting at the hair to be covered I just kept wanting to keep going, her hair just couldn’t be contained. That changed my idea into this, the artwork at the top of this post.
I tend to draw from my imagination, but a finished piece will often remind me of someone I know or have seen. I sometimes think I get these lovely snapshots from out in the world that somehow get caught in my imagination.. and I have to put the image down, never sure how it’ll work out, or who or what might appear. I don’t really know how it all happens, I just do my part.
I knew the general idea I wanted tho.. years ago, some 15-20 years ago, I became fascinated by sibyls and oracles. Ancient Greek and Roman women (cultures I started looking to the most, but also traditions widely recognized worldwide) who looked deeply into the past, present, and future. Women who heroes, kings and common folk turned to for advice for hundreds (thousands?) of years. I loved learning about the Sibylline Books and the Oracle of Delphi, their prophecy shaping history and cultures. Wise women, often living in caves, writing their visions down on oak leaves which were left to be collected or scattered to the wind.
Eyes toward the divine with folded hands.
