God’s Waiting Room…
Dushi | Oil on Panel | 30 X 30 cm | 2021 | Uncompleted & Unable to finish
Backstory
God’s Waiting Room… | 2021
With the term 'God', I refer to Corine's belief in the Judeo-Christian God.
This painting of Corine is unfinished. I was unable to complete it and have decided to leave it imperfectly incomplete.
Corine, whom I affectionately called 'Dushi', was a long-time friend. She came into my life in 2005 when I was hiding from the world and dealing with unspoken struggles. She was my neighbour at the time, introduced herself, and opened the proverbial door into my heart and life. She showed me kindness and gave me space to be myself without any prejudice. In return, I offered her the same. She was strong and a fighter, always willing to have deep discussions on the meaning of life, belief systems, and the choices we make. Her faith in her God remained strong, and she desired to be loved and accepted completely. However, there was a part of her that the light could not reach.
Music was her love language, and she shared many songs with me - until I received her last song in 2017. She had ended her life.
“So come on fly away with me
To a place where we could be anyone we wanna be
And we can bottle up our fears
Brew a taste so sweet
Knock us off our feet
or more Burn our troubles
Inhale them all
Paint our future on a fractured wall
So come on fly away with me
To a place where we can be anyone we wanna be ”
A few years after mourning her loss, I attempted to paint her portrait as an ode to her life and remembrance. I painted Dushi, tired from the struggles of life, sitting in God's waiting room. The door has just opened, and the love and light she so desperately sought in life illuminate her face and clear away the darkness.
Technique
SURFACE:
Aluminium Panel; after researching the various aluminium panels on the market I settled on a 3mm panel with an anodized surface.
www.jacksonsart.com
MEDIUM:
Old Holland Oil Paints
www.oldholland.com
Refined Linseed Oil
https://www.michaelharding.co.uk
Gamsol Mineral Spirits
https://gamblincolors.com
BRUSHES:
Rosemary & Co Handmade Brushes
https://www.rosemaryandco.com
TECHNIQUE:
First, I prepared the aluminium panel by applying two layers of gesso and lightly sanding between each layer. Once I was satisfied with the surface, I sketched a detailed drawing using a green watercolour pencil and created hues by adding water with a brush. Then I used the grisaille technique, which involved creating a grey tone underpainting. After this layer was dry, I started painting the background in glazes continuing to the sofa and eventually the subject of the painting. However, this painting has never been completed. Details and glazes would have been added to the arms and hands and a final varnish.
Artists Collection
