Variations of a Theme

It all started with this sketch several years ago with a collaged pelvis for the wings-which led to this oil on wood version on the left- which led to the reverse painting on plexiglass in black and white negative=which has led to the latest variation in progress on the graffiti panel.

Talk about milking an image, or recycling an image, but I just love this angel and why she came about and the thoughts that come each time I look at her and paint her. The title of the work is "dig freedom" and the underlying theme of the image is to do with cluster bombs in Iraq. Unexploded or dud cluster bombs continue to pose a risk to civilians, especially children. You see they are small, look shiny and children pick them up thinking they are a toy or a soft drink can, or farmers clearing land accidentally set one off. The title alludes to the amount of graves that have been dug. Several organizations are fighting to have cluster bombs banned, for more information please visit Handicap International or for information and links visit here.

Thinking Blogger Award

Want to thank both Angela and Domestic Minx for honoring me with the Thinking Blogger Award. Considering all the really cool blogs out there, it is a real treat to be chosen.

Aldon Hynes asks

why do I blog and what is it that drives my art?

I will try to keep this short as I have answered this several times before and don't want to bore the heck of those who've read it already. Blogging is basically an extension of what I have always done, either with scrapbooks/family diary/sketchbook. I use this blog as a form of art in itself to visually communicate. It is also a wonderful means to keep in touch with family and friends worldwide, as well as meet and network with people around the world.
What drives my art is a love of putting into visual form things that move me, the smell of a studio, the rush that comes from seeing an idea realized, the meditative quality of the process itself, and knowing that I can create a quiet and sometimes powerful silent connection with the viewers of my work.