Thursday, June 30, 2011

Finding the Key to Happiness

Finding the Key to Happiness


24x28 inches


Ink and Dry Media on Polyester Canvas


The human pursuit of happiness has always fascinated me and each of us has our own path to find that elusive key. This artwork barely touches on all the different ways we individually try to search for that inner peace and joy.


I am eternally grateful to my wonderful husband Stephen, for encouraging me and supporting me in my own pursuit of happiness, when we both know how much better off we would be financially if I went out and earned a salary. He has given me the greatest gift of all - happiness (xxx - for Step)


8 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...

Beautiful thoughts and words, Karen. I love this collage too. My husband is also supportive of my art, though I do have to work, at least for the foreseeable future. After our months of stress and worry last year, I'd be afraid not to work now. But quite honestly, there is nothing I want more than to just stay home and do what I want to do.

Mona Diane Conner said...

Beautiful trompe d'oeil and a beautiful theme! A couple questions: what is the symbolism of the bracelet, or is it perhaps a rosary bracelet, and what is polyester canvas?

Unknown said...

I know Sherry - you have been through so much and I guess we each have our own journey. It is wonderful though, after all you went through, where you didn't really have the opportunity to be creative, that you can now (after work) let all those creative juices flow!!! :)

Thank you Mona - the bracelet is my Pandora bracelet, which is really just another symbol for materialism. Pandora bracelets are really popular in Australia at the moment, but the charms don't come cheap, so a bracelet full of charms is quite valuable (obviously even more so when they are gold). I love my Pandora bracelet, and most of those charms have been given to me by loved ones, but my happiness wouldn't be affected if I didn't own one, and yet once upon a time I would have thought it would.

The Polyester Canvas is a very fine weave, stable canvas (made from polyester), that allows for much finer detail than regular canvas, because of it's relative smoothness. I'm going to try painting on it next and am curious as to how much fine detail can be achieved using this surface.

artbyakiko said...

This is an amazing trompe l'oeil!!! You must have spent so much time on this work. It's excellent!
And thanks for the info about polyester canvas. I might check it out.
Akiko

Unknown said...

Thankyou heaps Akiko - it did take me a lot longer than I normally like to spend on a piece, but got there in the end. I'm sure you would do wonderful pieces on the polyester canvas - it probably has a similar texture to the Artboard that you love to work on :)

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Karen, I am just catching up on what you've been up to and I am blown away!! You are so amazing and fearless in trying new ways of working using new media! I love it all!! Thanks so much for sharing your work and I love hearing about the inspiration for each.

Artoholic said...

Wow wow WOW!

That's brought back memories of childhood when my sister and I used to draw all our own money - and then try and spend it!!

That's amazing Karen. I betcha you didn't swear once with this piece -Ha! That canvas looks like it came up a treat.

Mars Bars must mean a lot to you and I totally understand that. Reminds me of the Vicar of Dibley whenever she was going through a rough patch...

Unknown said...

Thank you heaps Barbara and you have inspired me in so many ways and continue to do so - just wish I could see your work in person!!! :)

He He Cindy - I might have let one or two escape. It's not just the Mars Bars that mean a lot to me - more like any chocolate at all, but I am trying to be good at the moment, which means avoiding all that yummy stuff like the plague!!! :)