The picture is froman original painting by Frank, titled “Sand Castles and New Horizons” (18″ x 30″ acrylic on wood panel). You can click on the picture for a larger version.
Frank’s two grandchildren, Griffyn and Alyssa posed for the painting when they were still children twelve years ago. Griffyn is now (September 2015) with the United States Air Force and Alyssa is a senior inhigh school.Gracy, their mother, is responsible for teaching the values and principles illustrated in the painting.
The lighthouse is the Old Charleston (Morris Island) lighthousein South Carolina, built in 1876. It is the third tower to occupy that space, the first built in 1767. The poignancy of this fleeting moment of childhood is echoed in the old tower, with its outdated technology and the encroaching sea. And yet it still stands, proud, battered, the stories of lives redeemed written in every brick. It serves as a model for the children learning of its history and following their mother’s instructions to work together and share. This is not an easy lesson to learn and practice daily in our interaction with others, but critical if we are to advance as a civilized world.
May you have peace and joy in the future as you live by the solid values of the past, sharing your good fortune with others.
The painting above (approx. 20″diam. acrylic on wood) was created by Frank for another of his patrons, aworld-renowned landscape artist, and art collector. The name of the painting is “Reflection Lake” and presents thefavorite view from within the wildlife refuge the landscape artistdeveloped.
Reflection is key element within a healthy life affirmingpractice. Asthe stillness of the water improves the clarity of the reflected image of what exists nearby, the stillness of our mind improves the image we reflect within our mind of the reality around us.
We all have the chance to live our dream. It means making a lot of right decisions, focused on the right path of attainable goals.
One of Frank’s patrons returned from a South Pacific sailing vacation and commissioned Frank to paint a new work. She wanted a composite scene from several photos she took of her memorable time with a friend. Frank painted the “Dream” above,in acrylic on a 30″ x 15″ stretched canvas.
Live your dream.Be inspired by it.
Just make sure it is realistic, and down the right path…you know which path is the right one. And, if you respect the dreams of others along the way, you’ll do very well in life.
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most dazzling view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.
Edward Abbey
The painting above “Mt. Diablo” is an original acrylic on stretched canvas (28″ x 22″) continued around the edges. You can select the image for a larger view.
Frank painted this canvas while working with his landscape teacher Charles White. Frank and Mary enjoyed walks with Charles in the foothills around Mt. Diablo in the San Francisco Bay Area. The views from the top are spectacular.Charles showed Frank the compelling nature of having a path lead the viewer into a painting.
Frank, normally a fairly solitary creative producer, is now involved in a new journey that requires new team members to assist with his current path to new heights. More on that in later installments here…
May you all be blessed with dazzling views by taking the right path!
After thinking “Gracy’s Lagoon” was completed a few weeks ago, the birds have flown back to the easel for some touching up, along with the rocks…etc.
Gracy’s Lagoon 2
Seems like hanging it on the wall was an invitation to enjoy and examine, only to see things that might still be “improved.” And…back to the painting studio.
So, when is a painting really done? Some famous artists have carried their work around for years, like Leonardo and his “Mona Lisa” which he loved so much he carried it with him wherever he traveled. It could be that a friendship develops with some works and their creators. It could also be that the relationship is heightened when others show interest in a particular piece…making the artist more aware that others are looking at this work, so it better be as good as they can make it.
Perhaps, it is not until the work finally leaves the artist’s possession that the work is really completed.
Frank thinks back, “Decades ago, I hiked down into the Feather River Canyon with my daughter Gracy to explore a hidden treasure I had discovered off the beaten path. You could hear it before you saw it…a thirty foot waterfall, flowing into a beautiful lagoon. Not too long after that visit, I began to do a painting of this magical place. Over the years, I’ve found opportunities to do a bit more work on the picture, including a couple of parrots known to travel the canyon…escapees from pet owners.
Today, it looks like I’ve got the finishing touches in place. And in honor of Gracy’s birthday today, here is the 48″W x 36″H acrylic on canvas…
Gracy’s Lagoon”:
Oh…yes, Happy Birthday Gracy!
From Dad, Mary and Ziggy
We are like children building a sandcastle. We embellish it with beautiful shells, bits of driftwood, and pieces of coloured glass. The castle is ours, off-limits to others. Yet despite all our attachment, we know that the tide will inevitably come in and sweep the sandcastle away. The trick is to enjoy it fully but without clinging, and when the time comes, let it dissolve back into the sea.
Pema Chödrön
The official authorized Internet site for Franklin D. Kliewer. Frank is a consultant, Internet innovator, developer, manager, and teacher.
