VERGE

May 15, 2025

A mysterious woman, hooded in windswept robes, stops at the edge of a rocky outcrop. With palm up, she holds out her hand, and above it floats a transparent sphere containing a solitary flame. At the edge of the cliff, she stands framed by a tall arch in the distance. A circle—an echo set above the vessel she holds—sits high in the arch. Anchored by elegantly curving supports, it suggests something mystical as if it may not exist physically in this world but rather serve as a portal to the next. Behind, blue skies fade to a peach streak across the horizon and the misty hills rolling below. She seems poised to step out into open air but she turns her head back, partially revealing her face. Her thoughts linger on where the next step will lead. Will it be over the edge and down? Or does this passage lead to someplace else? — VERGE (1989), Acrylic on Canvas - 48" X 36"

There are other, more metaphysical meanings to be derived from this painting, but at the time I was doing it I had decided to “step off the brink” professionally speaking. That is, I had made up my mind to ignore any lingering feelings of self-doubt and commit myself to a lengthy period of entirely personal work, no commissions.

Figure study for PASSAGE: VERGE, white charcoal and carbon pencil on Canson paper, 12" x 9". The woman in robes with hood up stands in the same pose as the final painting with her shoulder turned toward the audience except she holds her hand to her chest. — Figure study, white charcoal and carbon pencil on Canson paper, 12” x 9”

Brandon Sanderson cited the painting as inspiration when he started working on Elantris, his first published novel. The art was included in the leatherbound 10th Anniversary Edition published back in by Dragonsteel.

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