Love and Hate

I originally intended for this to be glazed, but I changed my mind. The high-key underpainting look makes it look like a marble sculpture, and that fits the symbolic nature of the image.

This is a piece just for me. It's my little art talisman and a reminder of my conflicting nature and the choices that I make.

On Love, the bow and arrow represent relaxed and focused effort that pierces through challenges and confusion. The cup represents generosity toward others and toward my own efforts -- if a piece needs a little more work or research, give it more.

On Hate, the barbed flail represents self-condemnation, with the barbed cords entangled and scratching up the wielder. The dagger represents grandiosity -- when you place demands on an effort to be perfect or the greatest rather than being an authentic expression, it stabs a real and worthy project like an assassin's dagger.

Please excuse my currency-like watermark! This picture has personal meaning, and I want to keep it mine

9" x 12" acrylic on gessoed board