Work on my first 'Shaker' series introduced me to this communal society's founder, Ann Lee. The brothers and sisters would live celibate lives side by side. Their basic philosophy of life became the "Millennial Laws". Foremost in this order of life was equality... men and women equal in all respects.
As for portrayal I decided on large floating cloud-like shapes, one on each half of the canvas, each different, but similar. The influence of Mark Rothko is undeniable... Soft edges, glowing colors. I wanted, however, to move from his intent to a celebration of the joy of equal lives.
#13 & #16 in private collection, photos unavailable.
Ann's Prophecy #1 - 13.5"x16.5" pastel
Ann's Prophecy #2 - 13.5"x16.5" pastel
Ann's Prophecy #3 - 28"x37.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #4 - 37.5"x47.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #5 - 37.5"x47.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #6 - 37.5"x47.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #7 - 37.5"x47.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #8 - 37.5"x47.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #9 - 37.5"x47.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #10 - 37.5"x47.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #11 - 37.5"x47.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #12 - 37.5"x47.5" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #13 - 49"x66" oil on canvas
Ann's Prophecy #14 - 49"x66" oil on canvas, in private collection
Ann's Prophecy #15 - 49"x66" oil on canvas
As work on 'Ann's Prophecy' matured, I frequently found myself rethinking past images.
In this brief series, I utilized the family portrait and mixed media to format a chronology, subject specific. As our lives are made of different parts, so can the "part art" be arranged and rearranged. Realism, abstraction, oil paint, acrylic paint, hard edges, soft edges, real objects - all became available.
Kate - 66"x87" mixed media, in private collection
Joseph - 56"x71" mixed media, in private collection