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You are also invited to check out my website: www.liedekebulderart.com and the site of my Kauai gallery: www.hashisfineart.com

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Spider Orchids

Spider Orchids 

Free Fall, mixed media on paper, 30" x 22"

Spider Orchid


The picture on the invitation of my ongoing exhibition is of a mixed media painting called Free Fall.

I was asked to write a few paragraphs on the work.

As an artist I have mixed feelings about that.  Of course, I like to talk about my work but also I feel that the work is there for an audience.  The viewer hopefully will connect with the piece.
He or she will feel pulled in and connect with their own story.  A title is an entrance but art is not a formula..

Having said that, I love orchids.   And, in Kauai they grow without (almost) any effort! I plant them by my front door after their indoor shine has worn off. The spider orchid obviously liked where I put it because it recently has shown its gratitude calling out to me with many budding stems..

I could not resist:  out came the sketchbook then the camera.  Then into the studio.. I went to work in my usual way:  preparing paper with gesso.  Applying a bistre wash.  Waiting to see what the paper was telling me:  first I thought spider shapes, then they became stars, then dancers, then skydivers, or whatever.  I had fun keeping the shapes and patterns taut and tight against the looseness of the flowing wash. 

Free Fall:  no roots, no stems, no nurturing leaves.   Just out there:  letting go.  We are all like flowers...