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.

Life Energy, Sarah Goodnough Painting

Life Energy (36 x 48) Sold,  Prints Available

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

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.

Birds in Flight Paintings

On the Rise (40 x 30) Mixed Media, Original Sold

Lunar Migration (24 x 24) Mixed Media on Canvas, Original Sold

Winged Ascension (36 x 48) Acrylic on Canvas, Original Sold, Prints Available

Flight (36 x 48) Acrylic on Canvas, Original Sold, Prints Available

Embarking Daybreak (36 x 48) Acrylic on Canvas, Original Sold, Prints Available

Crimson Flurry (24 x 24) Mixed Media on Canvas, Original Sold

Coastal Migration (24 x 24) Mixed Media on Canvas, Original Sold

5 O'clock Meadow (30 x 30) Acrylic on Canvas, Original Sold, Prints Available

Taking Flight (40 x 30) Mixed Media on Canvas, Original Sold

I have always been captivated by watching birds fly. This series was inspired by capturing that fleeting, beautiful moment when a flock of birds gracefully takes flight. They are so in tune with one another, I am always in awe of their directional instinct, powerful wings, light bodies, and elegant flying ability.

I used silver and gold leafing in some of these as a design element. Many people say they see a rock wall, and like the juxtaposition of manmade structure and nature. I like to let people use their own imagination to make sense of the abstraction. By putting a recognizable concrete subject like birds in the picture, the brain is forced to bring understanding to the background.

I do have giclee prints of some of these paintings available in print sizes, 18 x 27, 24 x 32, 30 x 40 and 36 x 48. The silver and gold leaf do not print well, so there are not any giclee prints available paintings with this element.

Sarah Goodnough painting, petite paintings

These are some new small 8 x 8 and 12 x 12 paintings I have been working on. They are inexpensive original art and make great gifts. View my website for more "petite paintings".

Sarah Goodnough painting, Embarking Daybreak

Embarking Daybreak
36 x 48
Acrylic

I have been doing several paintings with these flocks of birds with various backgrounds. I am inspired by the beauty of flight and the flurry of birds when flocked together.