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Title: Shooting
for the Gold
Artist:
Mary
A. Gravelle
Medium: Oil on Canvas, 48"
Triangle
Background on this Painting:
This painting was created
during the Fall of 2003. I became
intrigued by the shape of the triangle and have been in hot
pursuit of its truth for me.
About this Painting:
With the apex pointing upward, the triangle is a common
symbol of fire and masculine virility. The equilateral triangle
is often used as a sign of god or harmony.
I decided that this male triangle would be constructed out of
a hard surface, Masonite, which was glued and nailed onto a
2" x 4" poplar frame backing. This hard surface would
represent the strength and stability of male energy.
I chose a turquoise stone background for the male triangle
because of its symbolism as Aztec Fire God and in gemstone lore
it is the stone of courage, success, royal protection and the
astrological sign of Sagittarius. All of these attributes are
where I am right now - A Sagittarian who is mustering courage to
begin a new life of success and requiring royal protection for
my journey.
Male symbols are phalluses and I decided to take advantage of
the peak of the top triangle point and form an arrow (also a
sign of Sagittarius). Then, I added the circles (balls) for
humor. The oranges and reds symbolize the fire element of yang
masculinity.
Just as the female triangle required female skill sets in
constructing her; likewise, constructing male triangle required
the use of male tools and skill sets. Instead of fabric, thread,
and needle, male triangle commanded lumber, nails, hammers,
saws, and sanders.
Like the female triangle painting, the male triangle painting
had its bevy of physical and emotional challenges in the
process. When I was moving it out of the way, its easel
collapsed, the masonite fell off the frame, and it fell flat on
its face. It had to be re-glued. I had already painted the faux
turquoise stone finish and worried that it would flatten the
nice texture I had created. It did. As I fixed the male's edges,
it had more emotional issues to be revealed and healed.
While female triangle's memories remained nebulous, male
triangle brought to the forefront one specific incident to be
remembered, forgiven, and forgotten. Hopefully this will be
forever healed.
Seeking Truth of the Triangle
Subject and Meaning of this
Project:
What happens inside, around, and outside the triangle? What
is the mystery and intrigue of this shape all about for me right
now? What would happen to me if I were able to hang out inside
the triangular shape? What would be my experience? Would the
Triangle transform me somehow? Would it cure my ills? Would it
protect me? Would it transport me to another life? Would my
experience follow that of the historical Bermuda Triangle?
My wonderment of this shape has begun a quest of seeking the
truth of the triangle. For this mid-term, project, I looked for
universal symbolism as well as mythology of the triangle to
bestow me with its personal meaning. In seeking, I discovered a
few truths of the triangle.
Conclusion: The Truth of the Triangle
This was a roll-up-your-sleeves project for me - emotionally
and physically. Triangle's message for me - healing is
happening. The sharp edges of the triangle corners are piercing
deeply into my crusty old issues and they are crumbling and
disappearing. The triangle has me in its center thrashing me
about from corner to corner knocking out everything I no longer
need for my journey. The center inside the triangle is mystery
and chaos. The triangle shape is solid and strong. Areas outside
of the triangle provide safekeeping for its inhabitants by
piercing away evil and whatever is bad for its occupant.
I reread the chapter on the triangle in the artist, Wassily Kandinsky's
book, The Spiritual in Art, last night
(April 21) and now have complete cognition after painting my
triangles and writing this paper. His idea on the triangle is
that of spiritual growth of man and especially that of the
artist's ability to portray the great visions to the masses --
"In every segment of the triangle are the artists." He
divides the triangle into segments horizontally and believes
that we progress spiritually upwards toward the apex. He states,
"The whole triangle is moving slowly, almost invisibly
forwards and upwards. Where the apex is today is where the
second segment is tomorrow."
I feel eternally grateful this morning (April 22) as I reread
and edit this paper. It is as if the Triangle has been in service to me and I
have ridden it like a wild horse. I have felt Kandinsky's sense
of riding up the triangle's segments, rising to my own spiritual
greatness.
Artist Statement:
My art work is autobiographical in nature. Expressing through
myself as the channel, my highest hope is that my art reaches
the human spirit within the viewer. Using my inner reserves of
life experience as inspiration, my art might emotionally tug at
a place deep within others who may witness my art. Each one of
us share the Human Journey, alone and yet not alone. May you
feel the emotion of my art and be moved to new thought, new
healing, and a new view of the world.
Contact Mary at:
Phone: 860-649-9701
Email: mary@wisdompainting.com
Posted: October 25, 2004
Written by Mary A. Gravelle
© Mary A. Gravelle 2004
THE END

Viewer: What do you see
in the painting? How has the writing inspired you? Can you
relate to anything here?
Please post
your comments and share a little of yourself with us today.
Thanks.
THE END.

Posted: 05/19/2007
© 2004 Mary A. Gravelle

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