STAR OF PEACE
Oh, I've been smilin' lately
Dreamin' about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Some day it's going to come
Cause out on the edge of darkness
There rides a peace train
Oh, peace train take this country
Come take me home again
Cat Stevens, Peace Train
The holidays are a magical time when we allow ourselves to set aside cynicism and doubt. It’s just a simple star aglow in the winter sky, but we look to it with hope and in it we see what is possible in this world.
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My second favorite MW holiday painting but only by the most narrow of margins (my favorite being Peace).
Again Michael has succeeded in conveying contrasting physical feelings with his incredible skill. When viewing the original, I to this day shiver from the cold and chill conveyed by the clouds and the snow in the trees and on the ground. It is offset however by the strong suggestion of warmth conveyed by the lighted path and the warm glow globe suspended by the tree branch.
For me, the real magic happens by his brilliant ways of focusing the viewer’s eye on the cloud obscured star. Note how the star is framed by the two large trees. The seated woman’s gaze is fixed on the star. The white bird perched on her hand is in motion turning its head towards the star and, to me, beginning to launch into the sky towards the star.
Every day when I stand and look at this painting I feel a deep and satisfying sensation of calm and inner peace. The central figure’s pose is one of total serenity and happiness with where she is in the moment. Even though her gaze is towards the star, she makes no movement towards the path which leads through the trees towards the water and the star. She is happy and at peace with where she is basking in the filtered starlight.
A delightful and deeply emotional moment caught by Michael’s incredible brushwork.
Star of Peace is simply an amazing visual gift and experience from Michael!!