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Horizons

Looking at painting stages in a new light - as one piece

Horizons is one digital painting in different stages. For purposes of Day of the Dead - it is a metaphor for life and death. Each stage is a finished piece - it is complete in itself even though there might be another ending down the road.

Horizon 1The first piece - like a life cut short - is innocent, open. Though nice to look at - there is a strong feeling that more could be said. It is easy to imagine though how a soul might find it was done.

Horizon 2The second piece - is more detailed - life has more depth, texture, a cragginess - with development it is not nearly as transparent. And although there is a much vaster understanding here, this also has the nagging feeling of there being more to say - yet it also is complete.

Horizon 4The third piece - is more representative of a long life. It is developed, it has unexpected turns, a clearer sense of man’s size and a strong awareness of people left behind still working.

  • These art prints are part of a multi-cultural celebration of Día de los Muertos. Last year Bailando con la Muerte - Dancing with Death had participants from France and China.
  • This is no longer only a Mexican tradition - and with luck it is the kind of thing which helps us to recognize we are all one people.

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Reflecting on my own design

Explanation, Behind the Work, Beyond the Veil

Digital Painting - Dan Beck - Beyond the Mirrored Veil

The above piece is entitled Beyond the Mirrored Veil and can be seen enlarged by following the link. 

The piece was created for a specific event and art show which happens mostly today.  "Bailando Con La Muerte", dancing with death, is a celebration and a remembrance of loved ones who have died. 

The piece is intended to be multi-leveled.  The reflection in the mirror is in some ways more real than reality.  In the mirror, the eye on the left is the left eye, the hand on the right is the right hand.  Furthermore, everyone’s self image is based upon this reflection in the mirror - this reversed and not reversed flat image if you will - this most basic form of reflection.

So what lies behind that mirror?  Jimi Hendrix wrote in a song years ago - "I used to live in a room full of mirrors, all I could see was me; so I took my spirit and I smashed my mirrors now the whole world is here for me to see." Sometimes, I think all of us feel touched by spirit, by communication from another place and dimension. 

I don’t think any of us can truly understand it, but what I do believe is that what I have painted is my way of communicating some of what I feel - no male or female, no white or black, no old or young.

I have experienced enough loss to know that I feel the deceased presence to some extent even after he or she is gone.  I suppose it could just be my memory, but it doesn’t feel that way. It feels more like life continues and as others have said, we just can’t see beyond the veil.
 

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