Two New Animal Paintings

Two New Animal Paintings
Zoe (pastel) by Polly Castor

Zoe (pastel) by Polly Castor

A clergy friend suggested I paint a peacock because apparently they are symbolic of the resurrection since they were supposedly purified by tribulation and then adorned with virtue. I was interested in the color, radial composition, pattern, repetition, and movement. My friend named it Zoe after the Greek for eternal life.

Zoe is 12″x18″ and done in pastel.

Purchase the original painting here.

Obtain prints and merchandise of this image here.

Concerned about the extinction of creatures who are stuck in our inconsiderate care, the tiger below depicts that forlorn state of affairs.

Captivity is 12″x12″ and done in pastel.

Purchase the original painting here.

Obtain prints and merchandise of this image here.

Both of these works were painted for their abstract meanings. Even when art is representational, I feel it should be about more than just what meets the eye. Metaphors abound!

Also note that here there was no effort to paint these creatures realistically. This heightens the inclination to look deeper into what is being said. To achieve this effect, I was careful NOT to use photo references, which helps give them a more abstract, childlike quality, which I feel makes them more compelling. Where the peacock is more about the eternal qualities of pattern, color and repetition, the tiger is emphasizing expressive feeling, both of the tiger, and how sadly we are failing them.

Captivity (pastel) by Polly Castor

Captivity (pastel) by Polly Castor

I work to amplify good wherever I find it. I love color, texture, beauty, great ideas, nature, metaphor, deliciousness, genuine spirituality, and exploring new territory. I encourage authenticity, nurture creativity, champion sustainability, promote peace, and hope to foster a new renaissance where we all are free to be our most fulfilled, multifaceted, and terrific selves. Read more here.

2 Comments

  1. John gregory 4 years ago

    Why do I perceive the pee cock as a part of your aura?❤️

  2. Sue Krevitt 4 years ago

    (i think you meant Peacock, John ;-)

    These wonderful paintings recall to me my enjoyment of all “Naive” art (a type of simple art– childlike, and sometimes done by children, tho not necessarily, as you no-doubt know). Much of your work is like this, Polly,
    I feel, and prolly why I enjoy it so much.
    Happy, as always, to open your Blog each morning! Thank you!!

    :<))

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