I have been working on this 42×42 inch painting for over a month now.
The stage it is shown in below is pretty far along, but not there yet.
It feels at the moment to be the first piece where I have incorporated many of the different styles I have been exploring these last 10 years;
the life energy paintings, the botanicals and the mandalas.
I am enjoying creating this piece. I had a vision for it at the beginning, but it is really taking shape as I paint it.
I have a better understanding now of what needs to be laid down first, and what will go on top.

Today while I was painting the idea of an allegory came to mind.
here is the definition:

al·le·go·ry

I am not sure the meaning is necessarily hidden, but after awhile observing the piece I hope that a meaning will reveal itself,
be it moral, political or spiritual.

this piece was a practice in patience, focus and faith

patience because it took a long time to paint.

focus because in the few seconds it took to load my brush with paint I could easily, and
often did, lose the place I was working on.

faith in my skills as a painter, because i really had no idea how i was going to paint
the detail of this tiny creature

very similar to the previous piece, yet as Leon pointed out a bit more explosive,
which i like. i saw it as tumbling.

these pieces are becoming close to my heart;
a beauty and sadness, celebration and surrender

in the last few paintings i have began to drop out the smallest details on the ground.
i like the way it suggests another dimension, a falling into, a floating through, a transition.

i decided to drop out the background in this painting. a departure from the photograph
for sure. i love how all the elements; the leaves, berries, acorns and bird all seem to
start to float.
i truly enjoyed painting this piece.

i remember thinking to myself when i first started it, i have no idea how i am going
to paint that leaf and get it to look nearly as beautiful as the tangible leaf.
i enjoy that diving into a piece not really understanding the way.

this painting is going to be donated to the wildflower center for their annual fundraiser gala event.