Matters of the Heart

Pause for a moment to consider the word “heart”. In simplest terms, the heart is the multi-chambered muscular organ which maintains the circulation of blood. When we explore deeper however, the word “heart” is used to express emotion: “spoken from the heart”, to describe the center: “heartland” or “heartwood”, and finally,“heart” is the word universally rooted in emotion: “with all my heart”.

Imagine seeing the heart while experiencing all these emotions. Imagine the color, the energy, the movement, the texture, the shape, and the form of the line.

My intention with this collection of ten hearts is to portray, through line and color, movement and shape, who we are at the core for being: a visual expression of “the heart of the matter”.

Matters of the Heart, 33" x 5" x .75", each panel 5" x 5", mixed media on art board

Matters of the Heart, 33" x 5" x .75", each panel 5" x 5", mixed media on art board

GRIPPING HEARTS - Hearts in times of stress cling to each other and cannot let go. The orange center heart in this painting is stretching - reaching - to grab onto the other heart. Through the use of black lines and subdued colors I hope to evoke a s

GRIPPING HEARTS - Hearts in times of stress cling to each other and cannot let go. The orange center heart in this painting is stretching - reaching - to grab onto the other heart. Through the use of black lines and subdued colors I hope to evoke a sense of longing and sadness. The dark blue surrounds both hearts, encouraging them to grasp each other. Notice that this is the only use of black in the sequence and that the colors are the most subdued.

OPPOSING HEARTS - Hearts can have opposing views and yet continue to get along. The balance between differing viewpoints is visually represented here by opposite sides of the color wheel. The simplicity suggests that while there is no interaction bet

OPPOSING HEARTS - Hearts can have opposing views and yet continue to get along. The balance between differing viewpoints is visually represented here by opposite sides of the color wheel. The simplicity suggests that while there is no interaction between the hearts, there can still be acceptance, balance, and unity.

ENTWINING HEARTS - Hearts at the beginning of a relationship are vibrant with energy and passion. Observe that the painting is equally divided, representing the meeting point and balance between hearts who just meet. The twisting and intertwining lin

ENTWINING HEARTS - Hearts at the beginning of a relationship are vibrant with energy and passion. Observe that the painting is equally divided, representing the meeting point and balance between hearts who just meet. The twisting and intertwining lines represent the hearts binding together. The colors are vibrant with the joy, energy, and passion that only a new love creates.

OPENING HEARTS - Hearts are not always open to give and to receive love. What does love flowing through the heart look like? The heart in the center expands into layers of color which represent the gradual opening of the heart. Shifting perspective

OPENING HEARTS - Hearts are not always open to give and to receive love. What does love flowing through the heart look like? The heart in the center expands into layers of color which represent the gradual opening of the heart. Shifting perspective reveals the heart contracting to receive love. The soft, organic use of line at the center suggests growth. The bright yellow heart is symbolic of the happiness that emotionally occurs when a heart is able to receive and give love.

DIMINISHING HEARTS - In this painting we see a transformation of a full heart that has been repeatedly hurt and its evolution to small and guarded. The large red heart, once full of love becomes divided by the dark blue. No longer a heart, and unable

DIMINISHING HEARTS - In this painting we see a transformation of a full heart that has been repeatedly hurt and its evolution to small and guarded. The large red heart, once full of love becomes divided by the dark blue. No longer a heart, and unable to sustain itself, the heart evolves into a circle surrounded by a dark wall. The heart that was once filled with love is now consumed with the green of jealousy, the purple of cruelty, and the blue of depression.

SENSING HEART - Opposite of the Diminishing Heart is the sensing heart. Dominate in this painting is the spiral, one of the oldest symbols on the planet. The yellow spiral of happiness is entering the heart; guiding the heart to connect with the soul

SENSING HEART - Opposite of the Diminishing Heart is the sensing heart. Dominate in this painting is the spiral, one of the oldest symbols on the planet. The yellow spiral of happiness is entering the heart; guiding the heart to connect with the soul. The soul then connects to the spiritual forces in the universe and the spirit is able to evolve into something greater than itself.

WORKING HEARTS - Hearts that work together spin in synchronous motion to create a never-ending circle of love. The two abstract hearts in the center are linked and spinning in unison. The red circle surrounding those hearts is embracing the hearts lo

WORKING HEARTS - Hearts that work together spin in synchronous motion to create a never-ending circle of love. The two abstract hearts in the center are linked and spinning in unison. The red circle surrounding those hearts is embracing the hearts love. Interconnected, like cogs in a machine, the high emotion and energy in this painting symbolize the eternal nature of love.

DIVIDING HEARTS - Hearts that were once together and upright topple over and begin to divide. Composed horizontally, we see the beginning of a heart in the bottom left evolving and dividing toward the top right. Pay special attention to the positive

DIVIDING HEARTS - Hearts that were once together and upright topple over and begin to divide. Composed horizontally, we see the beginning of a heart in the bottom left evolving and dividing toward the top right. Pay special attention to the positive energy generated by the deliberate choices of color. Dividing hearts are full of transformative power, energy, happiness, and balance.

MENDING HEARTS - We've all been hanging by a thread. Mending hearts are hearts that were once broken but are now reunifying. The blue threads of knowledge and harmony stitch our broken hearts together. Especially strong in this painting is the use of

MENDING HEARTS - We've all been hanging by a thread. Mending hearts are hearts that were once broken but are now reunifying. The blue threads of knowledge and harmony stitch our broken hearts together. Especially strong in this painting is the use of green: the color of youth, health, and renewal.

UNIFYING HEARTS - The depiction of the heart we all strive for in our lives. Hearts that are unified explode with vibrant color and energy. They move in synchronous motion. The harmonious colors and expanding motion create a feeling of positivity and

UNIFYING HEARTS - The depiction of the heart we all strive for in our lives. Hearts that are unified explode with vibrant color and energy. They move in synchronous motion. The harmonious colors and expanding motion create a feeling of positivity and warmth. Hearts that are unified fill our soul with love.