“Every Moment of Light and Dark is a Miracle.”  ~ Walt Whitman

Light and Dark. Oil on Canvas. 25.5″ x 45.5″
Artist: Karen Rumora

Light and Dark is a recent commissioned oil painting that I created after observing an animation of light and shadow.

I am so often moved by being outdoors, that I cannot do much more than sit quietly and bathe in my surroundings.  Many times I simply take quick notes.  I memorize the colors, jot down comments on hue and form, then return to my studio to create looser encaustic paintings.  On a recent trip, these notations were captured in the form of small black and white drawings and a few sketch paintings.  I was in the process of writing notes on my sketches for new pieces, when I was inspired by what fell on my page.

In the moment of reliving the mood of my visit, a splattering of light dancing on my sketch pad pulled my thoughts in another direction.  This is not surprising, as I have always been easily distracted.  I was intrigued and somewhat hypnotized by these lively orbs.  For years, circular patterns have been begging me to take notice, so I took this as a “sign”; and I began letting my heart guide my hand.  As I painted,  the repetitive movement was definitely comforting and felt completely natural.  I liked the idea that the circle suggests infinity and that the organic shapes were akin to morphing cells.  My paintings have become patterns of  lit entities in a seemingly infinite space, and my visions have become more animated and surreal.  I imagine these images as a prelude to a dream.

This became the beginning of my new series; another adventure in my artistic journey.

Light and Dark, installed.