Icon

Medium: Watercolor on paper

Date: 2008

This week, I am unveiling my watercolor painting called ICON, designed to evoke a deep sense of spirituality and introspection. I have always been attracted to spiritual imagery and abstracted human faces that evoke a sense of mystery and energy, much like the energy I felt working in the cornfields of my childhood. This piece invites viewers to explore the mystical and other-worldly elements that transcend everyday experience. 

In creating ICON, I employed soft, fluid strokes to convey a sense of ethereal movement and gentle transitions between colors. The palette predominantly features shades of blue and yellow, symbolizing tranquility and divinity respectively. The contrasting hues work together to create a harmonious yet striking visual experience. 

Wassily Kandinsky, a pioneering abstract painter and art theorist, said that "Color is a power which directly influences the soul." He believed that color could evoke deep emotions and spiritual experiences. His innovative use of color and form was aimed at transcending the material world and touching the soul, an idea that resonates deeply with the intent behind ICON. 

Please note the eyes turning in different directions, creating a mystical, surreal impression that conveys a religious, other-worldly sensation. The eyes are intentionally turned upside down, a feature I believe is crucial to the painting's impact. This inversion enhances the mystical feeling, making the viewer question their perception and inviting them to look deeper. 

The mouth, depicted as a rising sun, opens to intense mystical feelings, with the lips painted in soft pinks and the sun in a gentle gradient of yellow. Clouds in the mustache represent an aura floating above the earth, their light and airy strokes adding to the ethereal quality of the painting. The pointed ears symbolize both hearing and listening, drawn with delicate lines to indicate their importance without overwhelming the face. 

The nose, rendered in shades of blue and outlined in a way that suggests a physical phallic imagery, emphasizes the integration of the physical and mystical aspects of life. These elements are lightly drawn, indicating possibility and suggestibility rather than solid facts. 

ICON wears a hooded robe, the folds of which are suggested through gentle, sweeping brushstrokes that merge with the background. At the neck is a cameo of an older woman: the nun, the sibyl, or Mary, mother of God. This figure is painted with a serene expression, her features lightly defined to convey a sense of calm and wisdom. 

Around the hood are streams of light abstracted into triangles, forming a halo of spiritual radiance. This bonnet of light has ribbons hanging over the shoulders, symbolizing a radiance that requires diligence but can be set aside when the effort becomes too great, such as when choosing the sin of carelessness over the pursuit of perfection. The ribbons are painted with thin, flowing lines that suggest movement and freedom. 

On the forehead is a small scroll awaiting a label for this ICON, such as 'St. Dennis.' It can also hold an important phrase spoken by an icon, such as "Love thy neighbor." This scroll is drawn with fine detail, ready to be personalized with a meaningful inscription. 

Through the combination of these elements, ICON aims to evoke a deep, contemplative response from viewers, encouraging them to reflect on the spiritual and mystical aspects of life.  

As we journey through life, it’s essential to remember that our perceptions are often influenced by how we choose to see and interpret the world around us. Much like the colors and elements in ICON, our experiences are colored by our thoughts, emotions, and spiritual connections. Embracing a deeper understanding and reflection can lead us to greater inner peace and wisdom.