MURANO RHAPSODY is part of a series of paintings called "Alchemy: The Transformative Power of Creativity & Love & The Honoring of Loss." The series was created in honor of my late husband, Bob, whose passionate avocation was buying, selling and collecting perfume bottles and powder boxes from Murano, Italy from the 1940s-1970s. Bob became one of the foremost experts in this niche market having full knowledge of how they are made, from sand to the blowing of the glass to studying the incredible glass blowers and creators of the time. In 2001, on our honeymoon, we experienced the glass blowing on Murano and the many wonders, tastes, and charms of Venice and the islands. A dream come true for both of us.
When I first saw Bob's breathtaking collection of glass pieces, they were displayed and reflected in mirrored and lit glass cases. All the colors, shapes and textures were beautiful and so unique. I was in awe!
After Bob's passing, my inner voice told me to paint a series representing this glass in his honor. Little did I know that 'alchemy' would be ever present while creating these paintings. There was the more obvious alchemy that happened in the making of the bottles from sand to glass. But there was much more. In the process of painting. I witnessed other transformations/alchemy: I became more aware of my creative process of writing down my intentions for each piece and saw how each painting informed and transformed into the next. From one painting to the next, there were, also, changes in style, color and technique. In MURANO RHAPSODY, it was important to express the sensuality of the glass, the fire and passion in which and with which it was created, and its beauty from a variety of angles and dimensions. There has also been a sweet, healing/alchemy on a spiritual level. The creation of this series allowed me to heal more deeply from Bob's loss and continue to honor him as a bright, gifted, generous, soul and renaissance man.
I am deeply grateful for Bob and the opportunity to experience my own alchemy, inside and out, while creating this series of paintings. Alchemy is a celebration of life, the transformative power of creativity and love and an honoring of loss.