Flight Of Imagination

Flight Of Imagination, 40 x 40, Sold

I was asked recently by the client who bought Flight of Imagination to provide any commentary on this painting that I could share with him. This ended up being a great opportunity to reflect on why I paint what I do and I thought it would also be nice to share with you.

The inspiration for the painting, Flight Of Imagination, came from my love of capturing the mystery and beauty of nature, and creating work that frees our minds from the ordinary. 

I have connected with animals since a young age and from my earliest memories, I have always used making art as my favorite form of self-expression. It is not surprising that as my artwork evolved, I began painting birds and nature.  

Birds to me have always been magical creatures that exist between the heavens and earth. I have spent a lot of time in nature and one of my favorite things to do is observe birds.  Their movement, social structures, physiology, and instincts are fascinating, especially observing these variations in different species. On a more spiritual level, they are symbols of freedom, inspiration, and transcendence. As someone who loves symbolism, it is interesting to read about the different kinds of birds and their meaning in different cultures.

In Flight Of Imagination, I patterned these birds after the swallow. Swallows are one of my favorite birds to watch, their movement is swift, fast and they can turn quickly.  Fighter jet wings were actually modeled after this type of bird wing. I took artistic license with the vivid red-orange coloring of these birds, creating a mood of energy and aliveness against the contrasting dreamy, blue backdrop. I can see the correlation between how a bird takes to flight effortlessly, and how our minds can drift, and in an instant we can be soaring with a new idea, eureka moment or beautiful daydream. 

Overall, my work reflects that in life the Divine is always present, connecting us to each other and everything in inexplicable ways. It is the thread that weaves the magic, joy, and peace into our lives. The reason I use a lot of circles in my work stems back to my love of symbolism. The circle is an unbroken line which has no beginning, no end and no direction. With these attributes, the circle represents a completeness which encompasses all space and time.  Symbolically, the circle depicts the unending, the unknowable, the un-measurable, the un-graspable and the indefinable. In other words, the circle is the symbol of Divinity.

Snowy Owls Come To The Northwest

In October 2012 I decided to paint white owls.  Although, Snowy Owls are not indigenous to Oregon, I thought a white owl would allow for beautiful play with color.  I originally was thinking of the Snowy Owl, but after doing research I thought the white Barred Owl would be more fitting.  The Barred Owl looks more like a traditional owl with the distinguished tufts around the eyes.  Also, I didn't think I would like the yellow eyes of a Snowy Owl in a painting.

Quiet Observers, 30 x 30
Available in Print

I joke that I must be a powerful manifester, because two days after finishing the owl painting I saw an owl about 20 feet away sitting up on a tree branch while walking my dog, Milo.  The dog actually noticed it first, stopping and looking up at it, I stopped to see what he was looking at.  I didn't have my camera for that one, but that was the only owl I had ever seen in the wild.

Then in January, I got word that Snowy Owls were spotted at Fort Stevens State Park, only 20 minutes from Astoria.  I grabbed my significant other and raced out there as fast as I could, to my amazement there were two hanging out just were he had seen them a few days before.  They were easily spotted with their magnificent white feathers, resting in plain daylight on logs.  I was in owl heaven, I took my telephoto lens (a mere disposable camera to the heavy duty, National Geographic lenses of my fellow on lookers), and got the best shots I could. 

Snowy Owl visits Oregon from the Arctic.

Snowy Owls like coastal landscapes.

I went home and went straight to Wikipedia, to find out why these beautiful creatures came to Oregon for the winter.  Apparently they are fairly nomadic and are hungry.  They will fly further south when food is in demand, this is determined by changes in their population and the boom and bust cycle of lemmings, which is their main food source.  They like open spaces that mimic the tundra, where they perch above and wait for their meal to pass by.  These two are either females or fledglings, the males are pure white.  

With my manifestation prowess, my friends said I should try a mermaid, a unicorn or a winning lottery ticket.  Hmmm.... that is definitely something to think about.

I went back the next day and got this shot to add to my Snowy Owl portfolio.

Life Energy, Sarah Goodnough Painting

Life Energy (36 x 48) Sold,  Prints Available

 The source light is in all things, it is everywhere.  

Hand Embellished Prints with great Quality

Getting ready to hand embellish giclee canvas prints for a client.

My canvas giclee prints are in limited editions, they are printed with 100+ years archival ink and laminated with a UV protective finish in gloss or matte.   I do hand embellish a small number of prints in each edition, which are labeled as artist proofs.  Prints come with a certificate of authenticity and all are signed by yours truly.

When embellished with paint, the print really has an extra punch of texture and color, making it look more like an original piece of art.  As in the case of the above embellished prints, they are all being tweaked to meet the color palette the client wants...bringing down the pinks and reds and adding more rust and peach tones.

Many artists these days are making prints of their work, it has truly leveled the playing field for people being able to have affordable art.  I love the idea of art being available for everyone to enjoy.  Although I have been approached by several licensing companies over the last couple of years to produce my work on a mass scale for retail chain stores in open editions,  I have decided not to go this route.  I find it resonates with me to keep my images special to the people that really want them by limiting the quantity to a small number.  The pricing of my prints reflects their originality and limited quantity.   If the giclee print is embellished by me, although still a print, it is a one of a kind piece of art that will look like no other. 

The Arts and Healing

Arts and Healing have long been closely intertwined.  In the years before Hippocrates, the healing temples of ancient Greece surrounded patients with paintings, sculpture, gardens, fountains, music, poetry and storytelling.  An environment rich with art was seen as therapeutic, providing a means to alleviate physical discomfort and emotional distress.

Florence Nightingale, in her book Notes on Nursing, described the patient's need for beauty, even to look out a window or gaze at a vase of flowers: "People say the effect is only on the mind.  It is no such thing.  The effect is on the body, too."

If you, or someone you love, is sick physically or emotionally, consider beautifying the space around you or them with flowers, a water feature, art or peaceful music.... it really does make a difference.

Returning Insight    (30 x 48)   Giclee Prints Available

Hummingbirds, Sarah Goodnough Paintings

Being Present (40 x 40) - Original Sold, Giclee Prints Available

Flicker In Time (30 x 30) - Original Sold, Giclee Prints Available

Beyond Limitations (30 x 30) - Original Sold, Giclee Prints Available

Joyful Abundance (40 x 40) - Original Sold, Giclee Prints Available

These paintings combine flora and fauna, integrated in a magical way that I hope evokes the feeling of divine energy all around us. Hummingbirds are a connection to spirit for me. When I see them it always seems to be at a time when God is saying "everything is alright".

Love Story, Sarah Goodnough Painting

Love Story - 36 x 48 Acrylic Painting on Canvas - Original Sold - Giclee Prints Available

Love Story was a romantic piece that came about because of my passion for roses. I have had the idea to paint roses for awhile and decided to add the birds in a tree to this contemporary impressionist painting. I can just imagine looking up at the moon while sitting with my loved one in this old English garden.