A meditation on the possibility that there is another shore. We won’t know until we cross that river—as we all must eventually.
In my personal work, the red glass heart is a symbol I often use in my personal work for the world of the senses and things that appeal to those senses. For some, that’s material possessions. For many, it would be other forms of pleasure seeking and gratification.
In contrast to GLIMPSE, the first painting in which I invoked the symbol, the figure has her back to the heart and is contemplating life after death. Note the death’s head emerging from the branch near the glass vessel.
The tree was inspired by a big pine I discovered during one of my walks at the Danbury Cemetery. It had that nice big curved branch coming out at just the right height to welcome a pleasant derrière to rest there in the shade.
Time goes on, however, and by now it must be too high off the ground. Next time I’m in the neighborhood, I’ll go check.
Additional images from RIVER
Share your thoughts…
We’d love to hear your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, questions, etc!
Like what you see? Subscribe!
We’re posting art every day on Substack. Don’t want to miss anything? Subscribe to get a weekly email including a recap of daily art posts.
To receive every art post by email, you can opt-in by visiting your account and then clicking the toggle for Daily Art.
Ixlandia (John Serrie) ?
This is absolutely exquisite... the beauty, the levels of spirit and meaning. Death's head, in contrast with the single flame, adds yet another layer. The orb's stand looks a bit like an abstract devil outline as well.
Michael, you are amazing. Thank you -- more than we can express -- for your work and this opportunity to learn your thoughts.