ESSAY 2D Abstract Calligraphy painting
<<BACKSWORD OF HONOR
22" x 30" Acrylic & Sumi Ink on watercolor paper
Original on loan, private collection
Sword of Honor was created out of an immersive period of reworking canvas and paper pieces. The orange and gold is the original brush work whereas the red and black movements were added years later, upside down of how the painting is viewed here.
The orange and red strokes resemble an image of a kneeling woman—head bowed as if being knighted. As the image came into focus I heard my soft voice within whisper, sword of honor. Months later and nearly forgotten in a stack of archived watercolor paintings, as soon as I reconnected visually with the woman image my gut instinct nudged to strike a single black mark.
Reflecting, and curious—I asked patrons and colleagues their interpretations of this painting. Most viewed the single black brush stroke as a victorian black dress while others saw it as a modern outfit akin to a cocktail dress. Yet another spoke about how the woman becomes warrior-like as she seems to be stepping out of or leaving behind the societal demands of perfection, represented by the black dress.
A poignant personal metaphor, Sword of Honor echoes a Biblical passage; Ephesians 6:10 - 18: taking on the full Armor of God. The shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And to stand firm against the powers of the dark world. I view the black brush mark as a metaphor of conformity, oppression, bound in stoic darkness. A totem of a walking dead life now behind the woman. The red and orange brush marks represent a woman of strength, vitality, value, and integrity. I see her bowing on one knee in honor before her Creator, accepting her life of purpose—a woman of light bearing Armor of God—free to experience life and all that it offers.
Essay revised August 1, 2021 | Originally published 2005
22" x 30" Acrylic & Sumi Ink on watercolor paper
Original on loan, private collection
Sword of Honor was created out of an immersive period of reworking canvas and paper pieces. The orange and gold is the original brush work whereas the red and black movements were added years later, upside down of how the painting is viewed here.
The orange and red strokes resemble an image of a kneeling woman—head bowed as if being knighted. As the image came into focus I heard my soft voice within whisper, sword of honor. Months later and nearly forgotten in a stack of archived watercolor paintings, as soon as I reconnected visually with the woman image my gut instinct nudged to strike a single black mark.
Reflecting, and curious—I asked patrons and colleagues their interpretations of this painting. Most viewed the single black brush stroke as a victorian black dress while others saw it as a modern outfit akin to a cocktail dress. Yet another spoke about how the woman becomes warrior-like as she seems to be stepping out of or leaving behind the societal demands of perfection, represented by the black dress.
A poignant personal metaphor, Sword of Honor echoes a Biblical passage; Ephesians 6:10 - 18: taking on the full Armor of God. The shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And to stand firm against the powers of the dark world. I view the black brush mark as a metaphor of conformity, oppression, bound in stoic darkness. A totem of a walking dead life now behind the woman. The red and orange brush marks represent a woman of strength, vitality, value, and integrity. I see her bowing on one knee in honor before her Creator, accepting her life of purpose—a woman of light bearing Armor of God—free to experience life and all that it offers.
Essay revised August 1, 2021 | Originally published 2005