Paintings have a tendency to unfold like a well turned story, an adventure, a mystery or a riddle. There is always a surprise waiting at the end.
I recently shared with you the preliminary sketches of the painting, Calcinatio Angelus. In these photos you can see how I moved from sketch to painting as the colours were added and refined.
After the rough pen and ink image was drawn onto the canvas I splashed the entire surface with magenta, in keeping with the correspondences for the alchemical process of calcination. Sparkling layers of white (light) and colour were then applied, breathing life into the image. As you can see, the painting appears to be a jumbled, unfinished,chaotic rainbow burst, but will in time, meld together into a vibrant, cohesive painting.
Here’s a photograph of the finished piece (please see image below).
Creating “Calcinatio Angelus” is the first step of my journey through alchemical correspondences, colour, dreamscapes and discovery.
As I moved from the rough sketches, to the early painting processes, and through to the completed painting (shown here), it felt as though layers of my old self slowly burned away and turned to ash.
Although the finished painting has the overall appearance of serenity, the process of Calcination left me feeling vulnerable and raw.
Sketches for the next painting “Dissolution” are already being prepared. The second painting in the Magnum Opus series will expand on the raw energy I’m feeling; an unbridled quality that should culminate in a piece wilder by nature, with a deeper, unconscious influence.
Have you ever created anything (book, poem, painting, fibre art, meal, song…) that felt as though it had taken on a life of its own? Did it change you in any way? I’d love to hear about it.
Thank you so much for joining me on my journey!
Tags: acrylic paint, alchemy, angel, ardgroom, calcination, irish landscape, magenta, painting
9 Responses to “Painting Alchemy and a Falling Angel”
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The process really seemed to capture (or perhaps more accurately, create) the true essence of the subject matter. It seems to have a divine quality that I am having difficulty finding the words to describe, but somehow I feel you will still manage to know what I mean.
I am very excited to see your work continue to evolve.
@delaney
@annie
Thank you both so much for your kind and inspiring comments.
Amazing process. Stunning end result.
It’s interesting to see your painting grow, thank you for sharing it.
I can see how this process would let you feeling exposed; it looks and sounds personal, and so beautiful.
Hi Suzanne,
I love the painting and love seeing the process and reading of your experience!!! Turns me on in the best sense of it as in body expanding with spirit! It really resonates with me. The painting is amazing! I like the second phase the best.I love all the lines and the trasparency look to it. Are you ever sad to leave one behind?
…That’s when I love creating is when I feel like an instrument, like I’m tapping into some universal flow adding all I know as a human being on this earth…(?)I don’t know what I’m going to draw, write or play(instument)but it just comes and is. I feel loved and full by it. I feel sensual. I feel connected to my spirit and the other realms of consciousness or reality or whatever it is…dreams…
But I don’t feel that often enough anymore. But I feel it awakening and it feels good!…
…Once I was drumming alone all night on some lil bongos in the woods and it seemed the drums were having conversations and I was solving problems in my head. I wasn’t trying to drum (well somewhat) but it had taken on a life of it’s own completely. All these experiences of creativity I’ve had while ”in that zone” are unforgettable. They’ve made me such a huge part of who I am today.
…You’re the best and I’ve only just started looking/reading! Thanks Susanne!
Becky
@everyone..wow! thank you so much for your amazing comments. For some reason I didn’t receive the notifications that you wrote (must have been a wordpress gremlin) Your comments mean so much to me, thank you so much for sharing.
The quality of her face is very interesting — like a porcelain doll almost.
Thank you for the comment David. She was a tricky one to paint as I wanted to make her more expressive but she chose to be more quiet, almost pensive.