Radiate

by Michael Combs

Original - Not For Sale

Price

$9,800

Dimensions

24.000 x 36.000 x 1.500 inches

Title

Radiate

Artist

Michael Combs

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

Radiate began as a white canvas smoothed with gesso in order to allow the paint to flow off of my knife more easily. After completing the work on another piece, I lightly mixed the colors of the remaining paint together on my pallet to create a blend that looked very similar to marble. Loading the paint onto the pallet knife, I started just to the right of center and after taking a deep breath, created a flowing stream of paint similar to an elongated backwards "S." I then gathered several more rolls of paint from the pallet and embellished the shape even more. It was then hung on the wall in my studio for months as it was awaited its full inspiration.

Daily, I stared at the image until I began to see the face...not of a mortal man, but the face of a king. I moved the painting onto my easel and began to mix and add more and more thick and heavy layers of paint from my knife. Over the course of weeks, the face began to take shape...but only revealing itself to me as I defined the features that would become ultimately noticeable to all who would take the time to study its definition and depth. This was to be a painting of depth that would become an experience for the viewer who perhaps wouldn't even see a face hiding in the painting for months.

The colors streamed together beautifully as the size of the painting brought a feeling of movement in a myriad of flowing patterns. An immediately identifiable face wasn't the goal, the goal instead was to create this king who would be hidden at first, then upon being discovered would be forever the focus of the viewer as they would return to see him.

My personal challenge was to place the eyes strategically and with such a style that they would be hidden at first and then become a reference of power and strength once the viewer recognized his face. As I studied the painting, I suddenly noticed his right eye peering outward at me � even though I hadn't attempted to paint it yet. There as he looked upon me, I left it intact as it naturally was formed by the prior strokes of the paint from the pallet knife. Afterwards, I added the left eye to match the same style and definition.

The crown on his head was as abstract as the image and its intention was to be as naturally flowing as the entire subject was. Yes, this King and His crown were a perfect fit, as inseparable as the sun from is from the sky.

Last, the heart of this King at the base of the painting became pronounced, not as a major organ to sustain life, but as a heart that radiates upward and outward. Truly his heart is what guides him through all things. Yet, to me, it is his bold and defining stare that transfixes the painting. It was a daring subject and technique to meld together yet has yielded a masterpiece that is prominently placed in my own home, serving as a reminder that I am never alone.

Visit www.ForTheHumanSpirit.com for more information.

Uploaded

June 21st, 2016

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