On this special day of freedom, I yearn for freedom in the rest of the world so that all might aspire to realize their dreams and goals for their families and themselves. This image reminds me of the holy persons of the world who spread these messages of hope and faith. It appeared as many of my images do--out of the blue. May each of us do our part of make the world a better place for all in which to live. Happy Fourth of July!
These three figures appeared from a place in my mind that must have seen the world in either imagination or reality. I live in a multicultural area where the dominant cultures are Hispanic and Native American, but in my travels around the world I have met and talked with many from other cultures. I see the dominant figures in the painting as Native American, African, and Tibetan, but their nationalities are immaterial. They are citizens of the world surrounded by other citizens of the world. Whether in contemplation, active conversation or standing on the sidelines, we are all part of humanity.
A new painting with a medieval theme. I still can't fathom from where these paintings come. Is it because I love France with its medieval walls, castles, and abbeys? Last year's trip to France included visits to Cistercian abbeys. What glorious architecture! In one of the abbeys closest to Avignon, we happened upon a tour director singing to her tour group so that they could experience the heavenly resonance of sound reverberating under the arches toward the stained glass windows on high. Just like angels soaring toward the light of the stained glass windows. Reaching for the sun and the ether of the place where they resided. Just when I thought nothing could surpass the sound, a young couple standing under the nave began singing in harmony an informal concert of French songs. I can still feel the presence of all those who had walked in medieval times through the cavernous halls.
We were a sophisticated civilization, the only of the Native Americans to develop extensive written texts. Our cities were powerful; our architecture dazzling; and our knowledge of our universe far beyond that of many other early civilizations. But we ventured too far and did not heed, until too late, the warnings of Mother Earth. A cycle of devastating droughts affected our water and food supplies; warfare competed for those precious life giving resources; too many people quested for the same available resources. But, perhaps most of all, our leaders, the people whom we trusted to look our for us, the victims of their own greed, did not search for the solutions to the problems.
May the leaders and people of the 21st century learn from our lessons and create a path to honor, respect, and live with the wonders of the earth and with each other in peace, harmony, and beauty.
Just finished this new painting entitled "Girl with the Green Ribbon"
Probably an image from a life drawing class from a while back. She sat on canvas in my studio for over a year until willing to come into final finished form. Pensive, but self assured and not unhappy with her life.
Girl with the Green Ribbon
Oil on Canvasboard
36" X 26" (framed size)
$1475.00 USD (includes Shipping and handling in US.
Looking for my Pelican Buddies, Oil on Paper, 6" X 4", $30.00 USD (includes S & H)
Contact artist: charlotte@taosnet.com
Florida birds are a special breed--Audubon believed that and so do I. The birdy characters sit in the pond behind my house. "What is for dinner today? The rain was quite heavy, so bet I can find some good bugs and fish. Got him!!! There goes another one." The watching and catching can be quite intense. These birds have more patience than I have.
The Birth of a King, Oil on Paper, 7-1/4" X 4-1/4," $30.00 USD
Contact artist at www.charlotteshroyer.com
Another painting which had its beginning more than 10 years ago when I first visited the Palais des Papes in Avignon, Provence, France. Not only the paintings that have come about since that time, but also the circumstances of visiting Avignon have been almost surreal experiences coming from an unexplainable place.
While living in California, my husband and I decided to make a trip to Europe. The one place we planned to visit was the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The rest of the trip was planned to happen as it would–-no reservations, no planned itinerary other than a Eurail pass. Bilbao was great–Barcelona seemed like the logical place to spend the night on the return trip. Alas, no rooms in Barcelona! I tried everything I could think of to find a room for the night including finding a way into France. No way to continue to France. Trains had already gone–nothing until the next day. I had visions of sleeping on the hard marble floor of the train station when suddenly one of the clerks with whom I had spoken came running over: "Madame, one possibility." An unexpected train into France, two available seats, another train into Avignon where we arrived at 3:00 AM to find a Hotel Ibis conveniently right next to the station....all worked like clock work almost as if planned including the book on Provence misfiled in the New Age psychology section at the Barnes and Noble store in California. And then the Palais des Papes........
My love affair with Provence and Gothic architecture has continued to this day and there seems to be no chance of its abating any day soon.
Transitions, Oil on Canvas, 32" X27" Framed Size), $1500 USD
Contact artist at: www.charlotteshroyer.com
I felt a strong sense of history as I painted these figures, almost as if I had lived through each of these transitions: woman hidden in the society of the mosque, woman bending her head beholden to the demands made of her, and woman finally emerging into a place where she could begin to express her being in other ways. The doors of light hold hope for new and exciting transitions
The birds are happy again. Water and more water in the pond behind the house. Allie, the resident alligator from last year might even take up residence again. It's no wonder that Audubon thought he was in paradise when he happened upon Florida. Seeing cranes, egrets, storks preening, munching on goodies in the mud, or taking flight is a panacea for whatever might bother a soul.
More bird paintings on the way.
The Mexican Modernists of the early 20th century, especially Tamayo, have been among my most revered artists. Mexican passion of these artists painted onto canvas acts as a line and hook to my heart touching something deep within that I cannot explain–much like a primeval force extending its roots from and back into the loam of the earth. Power lines in cultures and between cultures.
I am reminded of Tamayo when I look at the work of Albert Moreno Valdes, a little known Hispanic artist living in LA at the time of his death a few years ago. As with Tamayo, he has captured the passion of the Mayan soul. A few years back on a trip to Santa Barbara I happened into the SB Art Company where I first saw the work of Valdes. I became so mesmerized by the raw power in his drawings that I purchased a piece of his work for my personal collection and have been fascinated even more by his work.
I can only hope to depict passion on canvas as these Mexican artists did.
