Responding to the Night - A to Z Blogging Challenge

"Night Sky Over Crater Lake" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Responding to the Night" is the phrase I received for today's A to Z Blogging Challenge. I don't like the darkness of night and never have. That means I have no painting I think is suitable for these words. I do have a photograph I took several years ago of the night sky over Crater Lake in Oregon. Each morning while we were there, I got up with my daughter to photograph the 5 a.m. sky as the sun was beginning to rise over the scenic lake.

"Night Sky Over Crater Lake" is very mysterious, I think, especially the moon in the sky. In the distance, morning light is beginning to show behind the mountain. Crater Lake is a lovely destination for photographers where they can enjoy "Responding to the Night".


Do you respond to the night?

"Query Among the Whisperers" - A to Z Blogging Challenge

"Among So Many" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Query Among the Whisperers" are the words I received for today's A to Z Blogging Challenge. This is an odd one. It is like we need to question those hiding in the shadows. They wish to be heard but don't want to be known for their words. I know some of those people, and you probably do as well.

"Among So Many" is an odd piece of art, too. That's why I think it is perfect for the phrase, "Query Among the Whisperers". This painting is cold wax and oil on my favorite surface, Yupo.

What in the world do you see there? There is so much to ponder. I don't show any of the shadow people, but they are well-represented, don't you think?

Portals Lead Us Away - A to Z Blogging Challenge

"Raining on Sedona Rocks" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Portals Lead Us Away" is my message phrase for today's A to Z Blogging Challenge. I love portals. I've stopped and photographed many of them. I've painted dozens, including my favorite "Portal to Forever" which was inspired by the jungle-covered Mayan ruins at Palenque in southern Mexico. I thought of using that acrylic image for today's painting but decided instead on this cold wax art work.

"Raining on Sedona Rocks" is a small painting on Arches paper for oils. It is perfect for today's phrase because of the portal at the upper right leading us from the rain and rocks. The cold wax/oil paint mixture features several different textures that I find intriguing. I wish you could see the actual work close-up.

Where is the portal leading?

Opulent Fortunes Follow Us - A to Z Blogging Challenge

"Starry Nebula" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Opulent Fortunes Follow Us". What in the world could that mean? Those are the words I got for the A to Z Blogging Challenge for today.

My painting is titled "Starry Nebula". This is encaustic (oil and hot wax). I love the feeling of the lines of color going to the very  striking red force. So many elements follow us to that central image. "Opulent Fortunes Follow Us". Of course, they do and we see them here. I love the image and the colors.

What do you see here? What do you think about this image and the phrase for today?

Night Vision Leads Away - A to Z Blogging Challenge

"Light on a Frantic Sea" ©Mary Montague Sikes

My phrase for today's A to Z Blogging Challenge is "Night Vision Leads Away". I wonder what those words mean. Something different for each person, I think. Perhaps they mean nothing at all. Perhaps the darkness brings fear and disturbing thoughts or dreams.

"Light on a Frantic Sea" is the painting I have selected for the phrase. I can imagine this as a depiction of a chaotic night. The lines move away from a troubled zone. There is a spot of red near the center of the painting that draws me to it. This painting is oil and cold wax on a panel. I enjoy working with cold wax because of the many possibilities this material offers. The painting experience is far different from that using watercolor on Yupo.

What do you think? Do you like the look of cold wax and oil? Does it tell a story about the phrase for today?