MICHAEL WHELAN

DOORWAY TO THE WEST (2006) by Michael Whelan

Acrylic on Panel - 12” x 9”

Another search for the light. Creating the illusion of texture in paint, the process of actually painting it, can be an act of meditation. If it were not so, the painting of all those rocks would be torture, especially for someone like me with an impatient nature.

(via theartofmichaelwhelan)

DAWN PORTAL (2006) by Michael Whelan

Acrylic on Panel - 20" x 24"

The woman in this Portals painting is seeking wisdom and meaning beyond the knowledge she can gain from cultural influences, here represented by the statues. Night is passing and she is facing the light squarely, drawing conclusions based on direct personal experience, not the received wisdom of bygone ages.

(via theartofmichaelwhelan)

ENLIGHTENMENT (2006) by Michael Whelan Oil on Panel - 36" x 24"

In the Portals paintings, enlightenment is found only when one gets beyond the architecture of established formal belief systems. The wisdom comes from engaging in the effort personally - no one can do it for you.

(via theartofmichaelwhelan)

DAWN JOURNEY (2010) by Michael Whelan

Acrylic - 14" x 11"

Every day offers the possibility of a new beginning.

The journey the title refers to is the freedom of mind. Through meditation, the women find that there is no limit to the architecture of the imagination.

MOON’S WINDOW by Michael Whelan.

Acrylic on Panel - 5" x 7"

WINDOW TO THE SUN (2006) by Michael Whelan

Acrylic on Watercolor Board - 13" x 11"

Since my most recent resolution to devote all my time to my gallery work I’ve been obsessed with painting these passageways. It doesn’t take a Sigmund Freud to figure out why. The career transition I seek to make is a prospect both compelling yet unnerving, so my dreams are filled with these iconic representations of my ambivalences. Most seem to be subjective derivations of experiences in previous years, exploring ruins of castles and abbeys in the UK.  

In the case of this particular example, I have placed the symbol of my soul consciousness or desires on the other side, waiting for fulfillment. Waiting for me to come into the full light. I’m sending messages to myself here…. I think.

DOORWAY TO THE WEST (2006) by Michael Whelan

Acrylic on Panel - 12" x 9"

Another search for the light. Creating the illusion of texture in paint, the process of actually painting it, can be an act of meditation. If it were not so, the painting of all those rocks would be torture, especially for someone like me with an impatient nature.