A Very Sad Love Song

A Very Sad Love Song

By: Bobbie Jo Dyar

I don't really name Paintings I just paint them.  I was told once at an Art Show they needed names.  So I tried to open my mind to them having names. I still don't name them upon creation I paint them hang them on the wall and after a period of time they seem to name themselves.

This particular painting I created after getting some beautiful flowers from my now late husband. I'm pretty sure it was a mother's day gift from him and my daughter. Roses are so very splendid it took me years of painting to even get the courage to attempt one. They last a week or so after being cut so I spent a few days simply appreciating their beauty then decided I better attempt to capture their splendor before they wilted. 

I wanted a background of sorts since I had created a few just standalones already. I had been wanting to attempt to paint my violin I was practicing regularly at the time so I put a sheet in the middle of the living room floor placed the violin then arranged roses on and around it. 

I'm far from a conventional artist I rarely use an easel so I sat in the floor beside the arrangement with the canvas on my lap and began the journey. I love to listen to music as I paint so I feel into my musical painting trance of sorts and created this. I remember the angle of some of the pedals appeared to look like hearts it occurred to me this must be one of the many reasons these are a favorite symbol of love.

I try my best not to be overly critical of my art as it is a hobby, pass time, and form of therapy for me. Still I was disappointed to see I had not angled the painting enough to fit in the lovely scroll. Since that is considered the top I see now I painted this upside-down from bottom to top. Typical of my unorthodox style.

Now back to it's name... I'm sitting here this morning enjoying my coffee when my phone gets a message. It's from Facebook reminding me it's Pete Dyar's Birthday. I had not forgotten it had been on my mind for a few days but I was still waking up when it arrived so it did hit me a little hard.  

The name for this painting came to me a few months after it's creation my husband and I had been arguing not a big surprise to anyone who knew us. I was a bit distressed from his harsh words and looked at the painting with it's lovely hearts tried to be reminded of the "good" times but the feelings of sadness prevailed in the  situation and I thought some days this marriage is like a very sad love song. Not just the arguments but the fact we had lost our first child and the relationship had been filled with grief since near the beginning. 

So the name kinda stuck. A very sad love song. A few years later he would be diagnosed with cancer and after a long battle he passed. It's been a little over 3 years ago so holidays, birthdays, events are still a bit difficult. After seeing the message this morning I looked over at this painting and wondered how much it knew when it seemed to name itself. A Very Sad Love Song indeed.  

Still the hearts remain and once created so does Love it may be followed by an array of other emotions but when singled out and focused upon there is still Love amid the assortment of emotions. 

PS if you are curious about the blue speck of paint so am I to be honest, it's on many of the paintings and splashed across the walls here in my living room this exact same color. I am to assume it's from a painting I did at some point in time where I must have added this color in a rather wild manner and caused it to splash across the walls and on to other paintings. I could remove it but I choose not to it adds a bit of character and reminds me that while these paintings can stand alone they are like pieces of a puzzle all connected. If or when I remember the painting that caused this unique occurrence I will be sure to share it with you. 

Thanks for reading my story.  I hope you have a beautiful day! 

Oops I nearly forgot as I decided to write about this particular painting this morning a story came to me to share about Pete and his particular love for flowers. Now Pete was a 6 foot 4 Marine as hard as steel. After the Marine Corps he became a Stonemason a business I joined him in for almost 20 years. Many mornings we would be at a local hardware store picking up materials for the day. I being who I am was often in a hurry to get this done and get on to work but Pete he had a different personality he enjoyed strolling thru the garden center admiring every flower along the way. This tickled me he being such a large manly man who was practically being dragged out of the garden center by his wife. He didn't just admire flowers in the stores but everywhere we came across them. He gave me a new perspective on appreciating the little things in life and for this I will be eternally grateful. Happy birthday Pete thanks for the good times. 

The Season of Change

Beautiful Autumn The Season of Change

Beautiful Autumn the Season of Change a 16"/20" acrylic on canvas board painting I did many years ago while laying stone at a friend's house. He built a lovely overlook building high atop a bluff on his property overlooking Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville Alabama. 

The home itself was a pleasure to work on being a history buff and native of Huntsville I was pleased to find out this house was one of the original homes built by the Wernher Von Braun team. As you may know this team was from Germany. A group of 1600 brilliant Scientists, Aerospace Engineers and Technicians. 

The team secretly moved to Huntsville after the war as members of Operation Paperclip a top secret program that developed the Saturn 5 rocket that propelled man to the moon.

While waiting for my mortar to dry so I could clean the joints in the newly laid Stonework I would sneak back to this awesome overlook get-a-way to continue my work on this lovely painting.  The owner would join me back there sometimes sharing stories of the house community and history of the area.

Monte Sano Mountain has always held a special place in my heart. My Great grandmother lived on the mountain during my childhood I adored visiting her there and attending the small church for which she was a member.  I have fond memories of hiking and visiting Monte Sano State park being raised in the city this felt like nature's Paradise each visit.  I was blessed to rent a home high atop the mountain in my 20s I hiked, explored, and mountain biked frequently. 

The Park area itself has a rich history I recall climbing the stone walls of the lodge  most of my life it had been destroyed by fire but the hardy stone walls and fireplaces had remained. The Park was a thriving vacation spot back in the day the mountain air and healing waters drew many to refresh and restore. The name itself Monte Sano is derived from Spanish meaning "Mountain of Health"

 I have no doubt about the healing energy of this magical mountain. I was blessed to become pregnant while living high above the city. I carried my beautiful daughter in my belly as I wandered thru these magical healing woods. On my way to the hospital to have her I remember being amazed by the beautiful Autumn colors surrounded me on the drive.  This inspired her name Autumn Bliss. 

If you want to learn more about this amazing Mountain I have included some links as well as access to a favorite book of mine Space by James Michener it's written in a unique perspective highlighting the Von Braun team and includes stories of this mountain.

wikipedia.Monte Sano State Park

encyclopediaofalabama.org

wernher-von-braun-planetarium

When the Germans and Rockets came to town

Thank you so much for reading this story behind the art I hope it stands as a reminder of the great depth and meaning of so much beautiful art in this world

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Tribute to Nikola Tesla

Inventor Electrical Engineer Mechanical Engineer Futurist and Genius

This Tribute to Nikola Tesla could never do this Brilliant Man Justice.

I have a tendency to study things untill I can't find any more resources.  This Tribute to Nikola Tesla was painted after almost 2 years of vigorous research.  I enjoyed every moment of it such a mysterious and Brilliant Man.

From his struggles to his success this man was an interesting character.  The stories of he and Edison show quite a rivalry.  The father of AC Alternating Current saw things differently.  With around 300 patents Tesla was a creative genius.  Without Nikola Tesla we may have never had our Smart Phones or Radio Controlled toys and devices. His leading research and experiments with wireless power allowed him to create the first wireless remote controlled boat.  Spectators thought it was a scam he was so far beyond his time.

The Wardenclyffe Tower project while never completed due to debt aimed to provide free energy for the world.  His sketches and drawings many made into patents included wonderous flying machines.

This painting includes many of my favorite patents and drawings of his as well as a depiction of his famous Tower.  The perspective is looking thru a plasma ball another fine invention of Tesla.

I truly apologize for the lack of quality of the picture of this Tribute to Nikola Tesla painting I used lots of metallics and the light just loves playing tricks with it.  I hope one day you can see it in person and walk around it as it changes colors with the light.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Beautiful Day

Beautiful Day

Beautiful Day if you can't have it Create it.

This lovely view is inspired by a little town in Colorado nestled in the mountains with one of the prettiest views I have ever seen. We had driven miles and miles of winding mountain roads to stumble upon this spectacular small town.  It had one main street with little shops a few cute little houses and farms all around. 

I painted this many years later it was a rainy spell that had lasted longer than usual. The reflections in the water are symbolic of memories. I was still getting used to my new life as a widow remembering the good times like this trip.  Rainy days tend to make me a little blue and with so many in a row during such a dark time I needed to do something to cheer myself up. 

The mountains were made using very special gifts a painters knife and brushes I had just been given with the art supplies my step-father Jim had left me after he too passed from cancer a short time before I painted this.  I have fond memories of discussing painting with him and seeing his new creations during my holiday visits.

Painting this Beautiful Day of one of my favorite places helped me get thru tough times. The Autumn colors are inspired by my wonderful daughter Autumn Bliss a reminder no matter the challenges life throws my way I have Blessings to be thankful for. 

Life certainly has its ups and downs. If you find yourself feeling a little blue I hope this beautiful image will bring you happiness and remind you to reflect upon the good memories life has blessed us with.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Noccalula Falls

Noccalula Falls is a Beautiful 90 foot Waterfall located in Gadsden Alabama.

The waterfall is part of a 225 acre public park open for all to enjoy.

The falls are said to be named for a Cherokee Princess who was the daughter of a chief. The legends dates back to the eighteenth century and may have basis in real events from the Cherokee village of Turkey Town. According to the tales Princess Noccalula's father betrothed her to a rich and powerful chief from another tribe who offered a large number of goods and hopes of peace for the two tribes in exchange for her hand in marriage. Although Noccalula was in love with a warrior from her own tribe her father insisted she marry the chief.  Noccalula then fled to the Black Creek Falls and jumped to her death heart broken to not be marrying the man she loved. 

A majestic view of the waterfall can be enjoyed from a short paved walk thru a beautifully landscaped park near the parking lot passing thru no admission areas and totally free for people to enjoy.  The accompanying public park has a great play area built for all children to enjoy including those with special needs and numerous picinic areas.  The paid portion of the park includes a fun train you can ride circling thru unique and scenic views.  The park is home to a number of historic buildings and a wonderful petting zoo for people of all ages to enjoy.

The park staff including my good friend Josh are friendly, helpful and full of great stories about the park and animals. Here Josh is holding a watercolor painting we worked on together at the park of Clyde a red-headed talking Conure who welcomes all who visit with a festive "Roll Tide".   The park includes scenic trails where you can even experience an unforgettable view from behind the towering waterfall. 

Holidays are a fun time at the park as well with many not to be missed celebrations throughout the year. 

This painting was a joy to paint surrounded by nature and lovely views. Keep on the lookout for more from this site a favorite place for me to spend some free time.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Perfectly Unique

Perfectly Unique Life is an original painting in Honor of the many Wonderful People in this world who Live Perfectly Unique Lives with Spectrum Disorders such as Autism.

     Spectrum Disorders can be defined as any of a group of disorders that occur on a continuum with certain features that are shared but manifest in various forms and degrees.  Examples include Bipolar, PTSD, OCD, Anxiety, Asperger's, Autism and others.

     I had heard of Autism, seen and met people who were living with it, but I began to understand it better after my nephew's diagnosis.   I went to the local library and checked out every book on the subject.  I wanted to be a supportive, loving and understanding Aunt.

     Shortly after I heard of a charity event for Autism Awareness.  I have donated paintings in the past to various organizations and wanted to do my part to help. I started working on this I decided to attempt to cut a canvas board into the shape of a puzzle piece it was a challenge but turned out pretty nice.  I thought long and hard on what would be appropriate.  I decided a heart of gold described well many who live in the spectrum. This specific heart is created with 2 spirals representing the Eternal nature of Love.

     I wanted somehow to reassure my brother, his wife, my nephew, and others that this recent diagnosis while a bit confusing and a tad scary for us all was going to perfectly fine.  I considered how much I love my nephew just the way he is and so the "Perfectly Unique Life" came to be.

     It took a little longer than expected to finish this so when I called to offer it to the organization I was disappointed to hear I had just missed the deadline by days.  I decided that may well be for the best because I have a firm belief the love we pour into something can be felt by others.

     I continue to Love this painting as I have the pleasure to watch my young nephew grow, evolve, and live a Perfectly Unique Life.  I hope you enjoy this work of art and if you have the pleasure of knowing someone living in the Spectrum appreciate them for who they are Perfectly Unique individuals.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Wedding Waterfall

I love this painting it's full of so much symbolism.

     This painting was inspired by my love for nature, my feelings of one with the universe, symbolism of feeling blue, and the lovely waterfall design of my wedding dress train.  

     

     You can find a number of symbolic elements in this painting.  The 2 birds represent the freedom purity and unity of free spirits.  The mountains one tall and sharp above the man the other rounded and soft above the woman is symbolic of the yen and yang of the male female relationship.  The 2 trees that grew together pooling each other's resources and combining them so both will benefit and flourish together each providing for the other what one may lack.  This is actually inspired by a number of trees that did this exact thing at different places we had lived including the one you may notice in "Up Mountain".  

     The flowers represent many things including weddings themselves. The willow trees are symbols of sorrow, sadness, and grief.  The tiny willow you can see thru the leaves of the other is symbolic of the one we planted for our son Mason shortly after he passed.  The water itself a symbol of the many many many tears I have shed over the years and the blue feelings that often overwhelm me.

     Wedding Waterfall has inspired a series of these waterfall people each with their own meaning and symbolism. 

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Ode to Nature

A wonderful display of the Beauty of Nature this painting is full of the important little things we often overlook.

     Ode to Nature is among one of my largest canvas paintings to date (24"×36").  It is a lovely depiction of flowers I was growing in the garden at the time.  Having grown up in a city and having little exposure to gardens I fell in love with the complexity and beauty of my new hobby.  

I was for the first time in my life working outdoors I had many indoor jobs in the past but had taken a new path by starting a business with my husband and learning the Art of Stonemasonry Work.  Being outside 10-12 hours a day was a new and eye opening experience.  I began to notice more of the beauty surrounding me.  Stonework itself being a very time consuming task I spent countless hours an the ground breaking rocks to fit the puzzle before me.  Insects we're not really something I was used to but watching then in my new environment around me gave me a certain appreciation for their beauty.  

I decided to add them in to this painting as a reminder of the wonderful little things in life.  Look closely you will find butterflies, ladybugs, ants, a bumblebee, a dragonfly a grasshopper, even a groovy lil catipilliar perhaps inspired by Alice in Wonderland.  

A funny story about this painting, I had it on display at Art on the Square one year and a couple came up to discuss the possibility of purchasing it.  My daughter who was around 4 at the time accompanied me to art shows and displayed her young creations as well.  She overheard this couple's interest in the piece and quickly spoke up " but Mommy that one hangs in my room"  my heart immediately melted.  I looked over at the couple who had likely heard this as well and apologized for the misunderstanding this painting was here for display purposes only I had now discovered and was certainly not for sale.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Click below to see more Art By Bobbie Dyar

Divine Proportion

Up Mountain

Count the Stars

Flower of Peace and Eternal Love

This Bold, Exciting, and Colorful Masterpiece is a Pleasure for the Eyes and Spirit

This painting is very special to me I wasn't very artistic as a child yet this Eternal Flower often appeared on my school work and doodles.  Once started it would expand to cover the paper and any open space around.  It gave me feelings of Peace, Serenity, and Happiness in some of my darkest times.  

Flower of Peace and Eternal Love is symbolic of numerous things. The rich bold colors represent diversity and equality.  The eight center petals remind of the Buddhist 8 fold path to enlightenment.  The Eightfold Path consists of eight practices: right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi ('meditative absorption or union').  The flower itself is never ending representing the Eternal Nature of Energy and Love. 

I have often used this image to help me focus during meditation.  The center yellow circle being a powerful element holding together the unlimited petals. Remaining constant with the ever changing diversity and creation of new arrays of petals.  

I feel certain there are several aspects of this painting I can simply not find the words to describe.  It speaks to my Spirit and inner Soul in a way that is impossible for me to explain.

I have created a number of variations of this Flower of Peace and Eternal Love each expressing it's own meaning while maintaining the constant theme of Inner Peace, Energy and Love Eternal.

I hope this painting brings you and those around you a sense of calmness, happiness, purity, peace and serenity.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Sunshine Daydream

This creation is one of my Puzzle Paintings a unique series.

Puzzle Paintings are outlines of images hidden by beautiful colors and additional elements.  These came to be in a interesting manner.  As a new artist in my early 20s I had insecurities about starting art at such a late time compared to those who had been studying and practicing the art since childhood.  It has never been something that comes easily to me as some who simply see then create.  I was blessed with a logical, mathematical left brain dominate personality.  As a child I disliked the objective aspect of art and failed to understand how something that appeared to lack skill or precision could be considered great.  I liked absolutes like math, facts, other situations that had clear correct vs incorrect results.  

As I began to understand the numerous factors involved in "judging" art my mind began to open.  I started painting not as a way to "perfect" or accurately portray an object but as a form of therapy and self expression.  These paintings in a way represent the diversity, beauty, and complexity of things that may appear on the surface to be simple.  They are a challenge for the mind and a way to see things from multiple perspectives.

Being a folk artist without any formal training has allowed me to defy the rules and create my own.  I hope you enjoy the playful aspect of these puzzle paintings and appreciate the beauty of color and the complexity of simple things.

If you desire hints to see the hidden aspects please refer back to the title of the piece.  There is a second additional smaller hidden object to reassure the mind you have found what was intentionally hidden.  These are created in the spirit of subjective truth so if you find additional objects or see this as something completely different rest assured there is no wrong interpretation.  Similar to a Rorschach test allow this to be an exercise in discovering yourself.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Up Mountain

This painting always makes me Smile "Up Mountain" is full of lovely memories.

     "Up Mountain" is what my daughter used to say around the age of 2 when we were out and about and she was ready to go home.  We lived in this tiny log cabin atop a curvy mountain road.  When we first found it the owners had been using it as a hunting cabin.  The walls were a dark green it was gloomy and dark.  When we decided to rent it I asked if I could repaint the inside.  I went a lil wild trying to brighten it up.  Pastel pinks, purples, blues, and bright yellow.  It became like a wonderland.  We painted the high open ceiling to look like the sky.  The strong log beams that held up the 2nd floor loft we're a perfect place to hang a swing right in the living room for our wonderful daughter.

   

     The large triangle window upstairs created a nice small area to place a baby bed.  Autumn loved looking out the window to see nature surrounding us a few squirrels and a large pileated woodpecker would visit her there daily.  We built the lovely garden out front for her to play in we filled the circular walkway with bright colorful tumbled stones.  There I remember using the pretty stones to teach her to count.  I could go on and on with entertaining stories about this painting and our time there but I will leave it here and hopefully if you see me around sometime I will happily reveal more.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Count the Stars

This is a Fun Optical Illusion How many Stars can you find?

     I found this illusion online and fell in love. I decided I had to try to recreate it.  The scaling and precision angles were a tad challenging.  Yet again another of my many great escapes from my sometimes harsh reality.  I have a tendency to dive into art and complex learning to free my mind of my daily struggles. 

     My daughter and I were having a tough winter. The first holidays after losing my husband and for my daughter her beloved daddy were quite difficult.  I tried to keep her somewhat entertained and searched for ways to occupy our time.  Star Wars had made its way back to main stream popularity.  We spent hours and hours watching the entire series together. 

     When I completed the illusion portion of the painting I asked my daughter for suggestions of what I should add to the background to enhance it a bit.  She threw me for a bit of a loop when she suggested Starships. I was a nervous wreck I knew she had been studying them during the movies and I feared disappointing her.  Many times in my life she has inspired and pushed me to attempt thing that seems impossible.  I spent countless hours studying the ships and sketching them out before attempting them on canvas.

     It turn out pretty good considering the canvas size (12"×12").  The experience overall was a priceless blessing. I hope you enjoy this painting a labor of love and guiding light thru darkness.



    *Secret Hint about the illusion:  Find the Red Background, The Yellow Background, then the Silver/Light Sky Blue Background.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Multidimensional Art Cube

This fun little Cube is a Multidimensional Art Show. To view it just click the Change Image button untill you are ready to Change the Set to 6 more Featured Paintings don't stop there this is multidimensional there are a total of 4 sets of Original Artwork totaling 24 Paintings. The images may take a moment to load on each new set I promise it's worth the wait. I hope you enjoy and check out the rest of this blog for the stories behind the art. Thanks

Art by Bobbie

Thank you and have a Blessed Day

Divine Proportion

Φ PHI



THE TITLE OF THIS PAINTING IS SIMPLY Φ

This symbol is known as Phi the 21st letter of the Greek Alphabet in Math and Science it is commonly known as the Golden Ratio. 

Other popular names for this symbol are The Sacred Cut, The Golden Section, and Divine Proportion.

   

 When my daughter was very young I was blessed to be a stay at home mom this required much sacrifice including an extremely tight budget.  I often took her to the bookstore to play and read to her. I would find many books I loved to read but could rarely afford to buy any for myself. "Divine" intervention like the book itself good luck graced my path. I found a wonderful book titled Divine Proportion it just so happened to be on an amazing sale only a few dollars.

     I read and re-read this awesome book it discussed Phi in Art, Nature, Science, Math, Music, Architecture, even Mysticism and Religion. It inspired me to paint my first intentional depiction of this fabulous symbol.  My first challenge was dividing the canvas in it's Divine Proportions the book had taught me a method using circles and intersecting points this was how I practice in sketch but when the time arrived to attempt the painting I had chosen a fairly large canvas (24"/20") finding a compass that big was out of the question so after pondering I decided to craft one from sticks in the yard.  It worked perfectly.  I then used it to divide the canvas into it's Divine Proportions every angle possible. 

     The painting itself is a Mandala of sorts (another amazing bookstore score Tibetan Mandala $1).  The colors symbolic of many things inspired by both Buddhism and the Native American Medicine Wheel.  The Spiral of Archimedes and multiple Equiangular Spirals are examples of Phi.  As well as the smaller fractal pattern spirals.

     This painting has continued to bring me peace, great happiness, a focal point for meditation, inspiration, and many long hours of deep thought.  I hope you enjoy it as well.

Thank you and have a Blessed Day