Inspire Me Thursday - Series

Edit 4/17/06 - I finshed this acrylic study a few days ago for the pencil sketch below. Now that I have an idea of composition and colors for two large paintings, I'm going to get started.




I want to do a series of paintings inspired by the images and feelings evoked by James Wright's beautiful poem, A Blessing. Its sound, its figurative transference of imagery, and its meaning lull me into a blissful peace that's almost impossible to describe in words. The last three lines send a thrill of joy through me...

Above are a pencil sketch and a rough acrylic study (each about 4" x 9" on canvas paper) for two of three larger paintings I plan to do. I am also experimenting with colors I don't usually use, in response to Leeza's color challenge to try working in colors outside one's comfort zone. I'll post all three finished studies as soon as I get them done. In the meantime, please savor this poem...

A Blessing

Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.

- James Wright (1927 - 1980)