Happy Little Moments

HMCraig- Happy Little Moments, 20x20", acrylic on canvas

This is the painting that I have been working on for the last few days. It is destined for an exhibition in Albany sponsored by BIANYS that features artwork by people who have had brain injuries.

BIANYS Exhibit

March 22-March 26

Albany's Empire State Plaza Concourse

The tulip and the delft patterned vase in the background have a bit of significance for Albany. The city was founded by the Dutch in 1614 as a trading post, and is the oldest surviving European settlement from the Thirteen Colonies. Every Spring, there is a Tulip Festival where attendees can see 200,000 (!!) Tulips in bloom. There are also fine art exhibits, live bands, the crowning of the Tulip Queen, and plenty of food. This year's festival happens May 7th- May 9th.

Now that I have told you all of that, I'll tell you a little bit about the process.  My first idea was to do something a bit more simple in terms of composition and colors than I am used to.  Then I started painting, and it kind of took a life of it's own.

Happy Little Moments, WIP

This is what it looked like, and I thought I was finished, but the piece kind of didn't sit right.  My eye was continually going to the bottom left corner, which isn't a very interesting place to sit. So, I had to add some small, white, delicate flowers... Paperwhites!  Now, the eye travels around the painting!

Right now, "Happy" is sitting on the easel, with the varnish drying (I use varnish to protect the painting from dust and some damage). Tomorrow, it goes on a trip!  I don't travel much, but my paintings do!