Down in Dreamland

oil on canvas, 20" x 30"

I've had it in mind to do this painting for a long time, so it shouldn't have surprised me how quickly it came about.  I had done a loose digital version of this figure a long while back that I quite liked, but I'm happy with this version, too.  My aim was to evoke a sense of deep relaxation, and I achieved that, at least to my satisfaction.

Le Grand Jeté

oil on panel, 18" x 18"
SOLD

This narrative painting really put me through my paces.  It proved to be quite a challenge, palette-wise.  I had first determined I wanted a green background but switched my preference after the fact to a cool blue. The process took ages because of the slow drying time of oil paint.  The dancer here is Olga Smirnova, prima ballerina with the Bolshoi, who emigrated to The Netherlands at the outset of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, stating she was "against this war with every fibre of my soul."  I've depicted her here leaping westward over Mt. Elbrus in Russia, toward The Netherlands, her safe haven, where she now dances with the Dutch Royal Ballet.  Also heading west is a sympathetic soul in the white stork, the national bird of Ukraine. The sunflower in her hair has lost a couple petals, but remains vibrant, a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people.