
THE BIRTH OF VISION – In the shadow of my father’s glory Surreal painting herons flight
Interested buyers, don’t hesitate to ask at this link for a “First in first serve” acquisition of the framed original or number 1 of 15 limited edition acrylic enhanced reproductions. Surreal painting herons flight
THE PROVERB
Watch over your dream
Predators hunger
Will destroy
Due diligence
Wise counsel
The elders of heaven
Wisdom
Ready to deploy
THE STORY
The surreal painting “The Birth of Vision” was inspired by the series “Dancing with Joy” 1 & 2.
While filming friends windsurfing in Rangiputa, Kari Kari Peninsula, Northland, New Zealand, I heard strong guttural sounds of Herons playing in the sky above me. Looking above the Macrocarpa trees, I saw Herons’ fantastic movement and realized I had a new story to tell. Filming windsurfers became less important.
They were using strong sea breezes to play games in air currents before resting in the Macrocarpa trees compelling me to capture the images.
My curiosity drove me to Google for answers a few days later. Why did they behave this way? Google explained: “It was their spring mating dance”.
I witnessed the joy they were experiencing while the admirable attributes God instilled in them.
This extraordinary tale had to be depicted. Surreal painting herons flight
My reasons
I wanted to show the happiness and joy captured in the picture, like when a child plays with confidence under a father’s careful supervision. If you have ever felt this way, you will understand what I mean.
Can you recall the first time you noticed your Father or your heavenly Father’s pleasure in watching over you? The happiness of watching a child playing with innocent enthusiasm while pursuing a dream is infectious.
In his Pillars of Heaven series, he uses behavioral lessons from the animal kingdom to teach about the joys and aspirations of life. Ian found a new vision in his own life and reflects on his journey to express how he was born again from confusion, rejection, sexual and substance misuse, depression, and homelessness.
Ian’s progress is being positively observed by compassionate elders in his unfolding new life.
PS: Many people have never felt the emotional happiness and family enjoyment that comes with living in a closely bonded community. Ian understands this pain and wants to impart hope with a new vision.
Creative choices
I selected the concept of the pillar because anyone who relies on God’s wisdom will find true happiness.
My own experience of being born again has proven this truth: “I love you and enjoy seeing you happy with what I have given you.” It’s a heavenly foundation that shows a loving and wise father’s affection for his children.
From the start of life’s tale, I want to share my findings. Taking time out to meditate on the Heron’s dance-inspired questions yields joy. Why?
Answers lead to uncovering more creation wonders. Such beauty fills me with awe and deep gratitude for my God and Father who gave me birth.
I love Him wholly and without shame. Seeing such incredible creativity in life only increases my love for Him.
This is truthful. When you focus on pure and positive things rather than negative news, your spirit will feel constantly satisfied and joyful. One of the fundamental principles of heavenly living is to be mindful of your thoughts and keep them pure.
Our common inheritance
During my study of how Australian Aboriginal and New Zealand Maori tell stories through art, I produced this painting. I wonder how they would depict similar concepts.
I have great admiration for their culture, especially their art and music. As I gained more knowledge, I merged Western fine art with indigenous techniques.
I realized that we all share certain aspects. The desire for our cultural identity, inner peace, love, the reason for being, our roots, and the future, are all intertwined in human existence. These elements distinguish us from animals.
We all admire a higher power and pass down stories based on our cultural beliefs.
Maori art symbolism
The Maori see the Mangopare shark as a famous emblem of natural richness, power, quickness, and resolution. The warriors tried to imitate the shark’s movements in the Koru design on the battlefield to reach their objectives.
Mangopare hammerhead artwork demonstrates the features of plenty, potency, spryness, and determination.
Australian Aboriginal art symbolism
I adore the liveliness and significance of dot painting in Aboriginal art from Australia, which is acknowledged worldwide.
At its essence, the dot pattern is an Aboriginal painting technique that is much like the cross-hatch and stencil approaches typically employed in Western art. When you delve deeper into the history of Aboriginal dot painting, it uncovers a universe of concealment, confidentiality, and ceremony.
I utilize their cultural worship portrayal as inspiration for interpreting my heritage through the visual medium. I share tales of my observations and thank God for the storytelling methods and resourceful use of available materials by the Aborigines.
Their artistic stories emphasize the pursuit of an unseen spiritual realm.
I gathered this knowledge from various sources.
Indigenous art inspirations
The term ‘dot painting’ comes from what Western audiences see in modern Aboriginal art showcasing dotted patterns.
This artistic style emerged during the 1970s from the Papunya art movement, in the Western Desert region, South West of Alice Springs, which has now expanded to West Australia. Originally, Papunya Tula artists followed a process that aligned with traditional spiritual ceremonies. Their rituals necessitated clearing the soil, smoothing it out like a canvas, and preparing it for painting purposes.
The Aboriginals depicted the spirit world on dark, earthy boards used by the Papunya Tala. These boards bore sacred designs symbolic of the movements of ancestral beings on earth.
The dreaming designs, surrounded by dots and outlined with dancing circles, conveyed their beliefs.
Afterward, they smoothed over the imprinted earth, rubbing the painted bodies away to conceal their sacred secrets. The Papunya Tula painting style comes from the artists’ understanding of the usual body and sand painting related to the ceremony. Depicting these stories of dream-time creation to the public necessitated omitting sacred symbols and being vigilant about ancestral designs.
Today’s technologies and communication systems have allowed everyone to learn about these once-secret traditions.
The Indigenous Influence Art disclaimer
As I paint, I learn about indigenous art and their storytelling to embed it into my Western culture.
I have a profound admiration for these people and never intend to disrespect them. I study at my own pace, and through this, I have gained more respect and admiration for these marginalized communities. Additionally, I incorporate their innovative ideas into my Western-influenced photorealistic paintings.
I appreciate the Aboriginal people for sharing their unique art forms, such as storytelling, design interpretation, and dot paintings, alongside the rhythmic sounds of their musical instruments like didgeridoos and knocking sticks. Their dance and song are also noteworthy. As an Australian, I feel proud of our shared heritage and hope to promote Aboriginal culture around the world.
I am fascinated by their culture and eager to learn more, bridging my knowledge and empathy with theirs. This is my divine legacy and I anticipate enjoying their gifts in paradise where there is no fear, hostility, partiality, or wrongdoing to spoil what God fashioned to be excellent.
Women’s Fashion
We have allocated numerous segments from this painting to be reproduced in our street gallery called “La Festa” @ Vida and multiple product lines @ “Fine Art America”
STATUS and MATERIALS
ORIGINAL FOR SALE * Bid or tender for the original artwork. All offers are considered around $25,000.
Painted with professional oils on fine-weave, gesso-primed linen canvas for long life. Canvas is stretched on New Zealand pine and oil paint is protected with brushed dammar varnish.
* Original and Limited Edition reproductions are supplied with Provenance, coded Authentication of Sale Certificate, and maintenance/care information.
15 LIMITED EDITION “ACRYLIC ENHANCED” CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS
The full size 1000 x 1000 (same as original) on stretch mounted archival canvas price is $3500 in GST
A master acrylic artist will digitally recreate the original painting and use hand-painted brushstrokes to replicate the original painting.
75 LIMITED EDITION CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS *
Unframed sizes | 960 x short side – $960 | 650 x short side – $650
Printed on long-life archival canvas and protected with two coats of UV archival protection spray.
* Stretch-mounted reproductions will incur added charges for mounting and freight.
OPEN EDITION POSTER ART PRINTS *
Unframed sizes | 594 x short side – $120 | 420 x short side – $92
* Posters printed on fine art papers and treated with two coats of UV archival protection spray.
PROCESS
Multiple images photographed with a Canon 5D and 7D, color-enhanced digital illustration created on an iMac in Photoshop CC. Painted on fine-weave, gesso-primed linen canvas for long life. Stretch mounted proudly on hardboard and protected with brushed dammar varnish.
FASHION
Images from “The Birth of Vision” are exhibited on Women’s Fashions through Vida and multiple product lines at Fine Art America
SHIPPING
- Includes insurance and package/handling fees.
- The Original and Limited Edition reproductions ship with the Provenance coded Authentication of Sale Certificate and maintenance information.
- Poster art prints ship in insured tubes.