Sunday, October 10, 2010

Thank You for a Night of Basalt and Discovery

Last night was the Vintage Evening of Fine Wine & Art. The location of this event was the Discovery Center in The Dalles, Oregon. The Center is an interactive museum with cultural treasures of the Gorge and Wasco County. We have long enjoyed the Center along with the basalt rock used in the architecture of the building and a waterfall cascading down basalt as you enter the building. I have completed many paintings from the grounds and very much enjoy the painstakingly restored native vegetation. Basalt rock dominates the landscape and as visitors drive along the Gorge from both directions basalt formations prevail. Thus the influence on all of us last night was basalt from the landscape to the building itself and I heard many comments to that effect.

I had only two paintings left over from the long summer season that included our basalt cliffs, and both were popular items. As I reflect on the evening it is clear to me that influences lead to inspiration and clarity, and then on to a final painting . For others I think they are transformed and influenced to stop at a painting and reflect and enjoy. Below is quote about the enjoyment of a painting and what matters. To each and every one of you that stopped and reflected on my paintings last night, I thank you!
All art is a gift, it is first of all a gift that the maker can do it. It is then a gift to someone else, whether they pay for it or not. The wonder of it is that we cannot get the production of these gifts stopped. Art is life seeking itself. It is our intractable expressions of love for the beauties, ideas and epiphanies we regularly find. "I have walked this earth for 30 years, and, out of gratitude, want to leave some souvenir." Robert Genn

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