Journey, East; Destination, Faith

Journey, East; Destination, Faith

Oil on Linen

49.5” X 49.5

The Tall Ship, The Providence is the setting for Journey: East, Destination: Faith.  It is a surrealist narrative  about the climb to unveil, reveal, accept and contribute.  Thinly glazed layers enable one to see through layers and more importantly, speak to energetic unity. 

This painting is one of about a dozen introspective oil paintings that began as an introspective search to emotionally confront life situations, move beyond and grow.  Paintings are experiential, from personal stories, real life and current events.

I was prompted to paint a ship while in a meditative state.  While searching to educate myself about the anatomy of a ship at a local yacht club, the tall ship, The Providence sailed by on Narraganset bay.  I followed its course to where it anchored in Providence, R.I., eventually met, sailed with the crew and made pastel paintings while onboard. I learned that at that time, The Providence took on children at risk to help make them feel a sense of community.  Their mission: We are a floating classroom; our focus is to educate while entertaining our guests on the role Providence and the Continental Navy played in the American Revolution.

In this oil painting figures rise and fall. An unsure female  climbs the ladder near the main mast.  She symbolizes courage and is repeated three times as she tries, tries and tries again.  While sketching The Providence I met women from a local center for abused women.  One comes up from a hatch along with my hopes that she is entering a state of empowerment.  A mother supports a youth who searches for his gender identity.  From a sail, a cut-out shape of an upside-down paper doll impedes sail capacity.  Others fall into a hatch below. Paper dolls of various colors inclusively fly together. A mask is thrown into shark infested waters to reveal authenticity, acceptance and love of self.  At the base of the mast, people join together to hoist the sail, akin to members of out many communities who right wrongs, encourage self-worth and enable the climb to spiritual heights, making way toward a society that is empathetic, inclusive and that prospers from individual contribution.