new print: it was just a dream

Jan 25, 2012



I tend to have very vivid dreams.  Sometimes I'll spend the first waking moments recounting the stirring details of my dreams to my husband, who, in turn, does a remarkable job pretending to be interested.

My dreams play out like a chase sequence in Bourne Identity or an elaborate storyline from an epic film.  And then there's the perpetual teacher's nightmare- standing in front of a classroom without a lesson plan.  Not sure why I still have this dream seeing that I left teaching many years ago. 

Sometimes the most evocative moment happens before the REM cycle.  While falling asleep and with my eyes closed, there are times when I can see an electrifying display of colors.  The colors are bright and captivating, and before I can think too much about it, I am fast asleep.  Yesterday, I was reminded of this nocturnal chromatic phenomenon when I started working on my latest print design, It was just a dream

I find beautiful dreams are the hardest to remember, or, at least, retain.  With my new work I wanted to capture just a split moment of tranquility and bliss found in a beautiful dream.

To create the soft, blurred effects of this piece, I used pastels.  I haven't used pastels (particularly oil pastels) as much as I would have liked to the past year, because I've been focusing on acrylics.  If you've been following my 30 works in 30 days project, you may have noticed that I like to work with a variety of art materials.  I'm realizing from this personal endeavor that I am ready to explore further the use of different mediums, like pastels, in my art.

6 comments:

Carmen said... 1

Hi Cathy,
I follow your blog. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, your work. It sort of reminds me of Paul Klee's work. You inspire and uplift me, thanks. I just started blogging for the first time this year. The site is carmenbnorris.blogspot.com. I hope you will visit soon. Take care.
Carmen

Melanie Grace Designs said... 2

It is really hard to capture dream images and release them in your work. I've had dreams of designs that were so incredible that I had to draw them out as soon as I woke but they don't always work so well in the light of consciousness. Love yours though. Thanks for sharing.

Charissa - The Gifted Blog said... 3

Ah, beautiful!! Love the new use of color and pastels. Have you ever thought about keeping a dream journal?

Brittan said... 4

this is so peaceful and beautiful, cathy. thank you for sharing! i love that you have such vivid dreams. i have very vivid dreams to the point that sometimes it makes it hard for me to focus in this consciousness. i love that you bring your dreams into your work, the pastels are a wonderful look in this piece :)

Unknown said... 5

absolutely love this... what a gorgeous new direction you could explore.

Cathy said... 6

Thanks everyone. Charissa, I have thought about keeping a dream journal, but that was ten years ago. Maybe I should start keeping a sketchbook next to my bed and see what comes from that.

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