Featured Original: Sunlight Opus for Nine Madronas
Nine individual oil paintings on 18" x 18" silver and gold gilded canvases — 57" x 57" including a 1.5" space around each canvas. Each canvas measures 18 x 18, and are gallery wrapped around the edges. The edges are then beautifully finished with gilding and faux techniques.
"A lot of thought went into the compositions, for each piece is complete and unique. They can be exhibited individually or can interact in dynamic partial groupings of two or three, or create the synergy of all nine together. I chose to paint this series on the gilded canvases because the transparent oil over the reflective silver and gold surface creates a refraction of light and they are truly alive with light and color. They literally shimmer as the viewer changes their vantage point, transporting the observer to the San Juan Islands through my creative process."
-Randy Van Beek
Transparent Oil on Gold and Silver Leaf by Randy VanBeek
The gold and silver leaf is hand gilded, applied to gessoed wood panels or canvas, implementing techniques that have been used for hundreds of years. Contrasting leaf is then inlayed into portions of the composition where color or atmospheric changes are desired, as in the clouds or ripples on the water. The oil paint is then glazed in multiple layers of transparent mixes, allowing the gilded leaf to show through. The combined techniques create an atmosphere and sense of sparkling light in a further attempt to represent the affects of sunlight and water.
These unique originals are ideally displayed with a direct spot light, preferably on a dimmer switch which allows you to literally set the sun on the piece. They are alive, dimensional and ever changing throughout the day. In the evening the painting will shimmer as moonlight.
Randy recommends not displaying the painting directly across from a window. The problem with glare is similar to art with glass and is a distraction. They are exquisite in any other setting including at a ninety degree angle to a window.
