Presto

Presto, Acrylics, 11''x17'' canvas, 2014.

This is the painting we used to announce the pending arrival of our first child. Ultrasound pics are usually grainy (at best) and somewhat obscure, so we didn't want to share those images to the world. My solution was this painting. Using the ultrasound pics as reference along with an online image search on embryos, I was able to come up with image. It's got a Michael Whelan 2010 Starchild crossed with Alex Gray vibe to it which appealed to me. I called this painting 'Presto' at the time as the lyrics* from the Rush song Presto kept popping into my head as I was adding in the cosmic stuff. 

Well, the painting worked and all who saw the initial announcement were quite thrilled with the both the painting and the news it brought. A process we need to repeat in the next little while before time runs out... 😉

Here is a work in progress shot, with a light source shining directly on it. It really kicks up the brightness and intensifies the light, and is a bit closer in brilliance to seeing it in person.

Work in progress shot.

* "I am made from the dust of the stars, and the oceans flow in my veins."