MoonRise Sayonara

by Alden Cole on December 2, 2013 · 0 comments

GrandIllusions1

aka Grand Illusions #1, inspired by the classic When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain*

acrylic on canvas, 15″ x 30″

Yesterday’s art harks back to 1975, thirty-eight years ago – a time when my work was primarily figurative. Today’s art is as recent as yesterday, with landscape taking center stage and figure becoming a secondary, though essential, feature. Begun two weeks ago at the time of the last full Moon, it’s from an ongoing series of paintings devoted to the Moon and it magical light. Having recently sold a Moon Rise painting, the 3rd in as many years – all three artworks having been initially created for my own enjoyment – I realized how powerfully the moon affects all of us, not only as a reality in our day-to-day, night-to-night lives, but as a subject for art.  My moon-inspired paintings obviously touch others, because they sell. And selling has become a contributing factor in creative endeavor, as I face the financial responsibilities specific to this last third of  life, in a new art career as a painter of paintings. I’ve kept a roof over my head throughout my life by making “art” on numerous other levels: fashion designer / fashion illustrator in my first six years in NYC; graphic designer / illustrator specializing in New Age,  Occult, and Eastern Philosophy, working for Samuel Weiser Inc. – 6 years in NYC & 6 years in Cape Neddick Maine; working in Advertising as a production artist for 20 years here in Philadelphia. That was work; this is fun. I’ve been painting since 1973 – forty years for the fun of it – and the time spent honing my craft is beginning to pay off, literally, as well as figuratively. Whodathot??

Okay now, everyone of a certain age, sing along with me:

When the moon comes over the mountain
Every beam brings a dream, dear, of you
Once again we’ll stroll ‘neath the mountain
Through that rose-colored valley we knew

Each day is grey and dreary
But the night is bright and cheery
When the moon comes over the mountain
I’m alone with my memories of you

*This classic song which many of us grew up with in mid-century was made famous by entertainer Kate Smith, who used it as her theme song on both radio and television, as late as 1960; published in 1931, Howard Johnson, lyrics & Harry M. Woods, music.

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