Companion Pieces

I've returned to my studio finally and quickly trying to get back into my groove where I feel comfortable and safe. :) I have completed two companion pieces. The back story of the location can be found in my newsletter here. 

I hate self-indulgence but there is considerable commentary within these two pieces which previously has never been present in my work. I seem to have something to say about my life as an artist now. The truth is, I never set out to be an artist. I just fell into it and there are days when it is overwhelming. I was not mentally prepared so there are moments when I struggle. Suddenly people are watching and have very strong feelings and things to say about what I do. Add to it the fact that my anonymity is largely gone on a local level and voila; you have these paintings. 

Untitled, © Denyse Dar, 2012

All my paintings are painted to music. In each case, the lyrics seem to have meaning; I don't pick the songs, they pick me. I seemed to be a "blues" period with this painting because the songs were nothing but straight blues. This moonlight version was not only sketched to Stranded by Van Morrison but I also hiked this location to the song. I'm a horrific, diehard Van-Fan btw.

"Everyday, everyday, it's hustle, hustle time, hustle time
 Everyday and every way, one more, one more mountain to climb
 It's leaving me stranded
 In my own little island
 With my eyes open wide


It was painted to Black Sheep by Martin Sexton.   

"Times they were changin
  I did just a little re-arrangin
  take a couple chances
  my progress it advances
  to that prize of my freedom...
  gonna set my soul free."

Untitled, © Denyse Dar, 2012

The sunlight version was sketched to New Kid in Town by the Eagles. The New Kid in Town lyrics clued me into what was going on in the paintings (I knew something was going on but not WHAT).


"There's talk on the street; it sounds so familiar
  Great expectations, everybody's watching you
  People you meet, they all seem to know you
  Even your old friends treat you like you're something new
  Johnny come lately, the new kid in town
  Everybody loves you, so don't let them down"

And painted to Dreamboat Annie by Heart.

"Going down the city sidewalk alone in the crowd
No one knows the lonely one whose head's in the clouds
Sad faces painted over with those magazine smiles
Heading out to somewhere won't be back for a while"

So in these paintings, the pine at the apex represents me separated from the crowd on both sides by a river. The moon and the sun are the "spotlight" and the crowd appears to be craning to see what the pine is doing. Thankfully the tone is benevolent so on some level it must be ok. And the depth of color, strong sense of shadow seems to be my response to all of it.