Monaco Vibes
Oil on canvas, 10c gold leaf and 10k natural gemstone diamonds, 50 x50cm 2014 ©kayhare
Most, if not all, the trees in Monte Carlo are protected and identified with a numbered necklace. I find this fascinating, and it has inspired a whole range of paintings in the shape of trees. For me, the trees all have personalities and thrive with source energy that is timeless and descriptionless. In yoga circles, this source energy is termed the Paramahansa and is attached to the awakening mind, which is the state of being before birth and after death. The swan is the animal symbol that represents this attuned awareness transcending all the realms. Steve Jobs famously gave the book ‘The autobiography of a yogi’ that explains the ‘awakening’ state to all his guests at his memorial service. I included the swan in the later painting ‘Joyous’ is subtly seen below to the center-right of the painting, hinting at this state of being.
My studio overlooks Monaco and the sea beyond. I find Monte Carlo an inspiring place to live. Most days, all I can see is the blue sea with a few little white yachts from the Monaco Yacht Club practicing their sailing skills around the bay. Monaco itself is continuously expanding, with a new island, and with constant developments, this takes money. Money is energy, and it makes our world go round uniquely demonstrated here in this tiny plot of land. I was invited to explore incorporating natural gemstone diamonds into my paintings, which I had never done before. I usually paint on the floor for practical reasons and never really been interested in investing in an easel as I was often moving around from studio to studio, and I always felt working on an easel limiting. I like to walk around the painting, and I love painting on large linens, most being too awkward to fit on an easel. However, working out how to apply the diamonds was a little more challenging. I researched on ‘how to apply’ and approached some manufacturers on the best way to use the dust from cutting diamonds, but they all seemed too technical. I decided to go my way, and now I apply the diamonds directly to the paint just before it dries. I have been working with oil paint for over 20 years and usually mix the oil with pure turpentine and other oils, so I have an intuitive approach knowing at what point to apply the diamonds. The diamonds also attracted 10k gold leaf, which again I apply just before the oil paint is dry. ‘Monaco Vibes’ is subtly dusted with 10c natural gemstone diamonds and 10k gold leaf. If the paintings can radiate good feelings to the viewer and enhance or inspire their environments, I feel my presence as an artist is done. I am an instrument to create images that come from an inspired channel from the imagination. If the paintings act as catalysts to encourage new ideas, positive and peaceful messages that inspire, then I am on the right path.