ISLAND IN THE SKY

Island in the Sky

          I usually paint realistically, the subjects generally whatever someone has commissioned. However, it's a different story when painting for myself and that's exactly what some of my paintings represent - there is a story behind them rather than any intellectual meaning.

          Island in the Sky is such a painting, a story written in brushstrokes. At first glance one sees a small floating island with a dinghy attached to it. The night is stormy, rolling thunder and dazzling lightning flashes. But what the viewer doesn't see is Mr. and Mrs. Fundleduster and their thirteen small children, the oldest being 13. Yup, Mrs. Fundleduster popped the kids out like clockwork once a year. I'm not mentioning the children's names because even Mr. and Mrs. Fundleduster. can't remember who each child is. They are quite a reclusive family and prefer living life at their own pace, which is mainly drifting around the world and then splashing down in a reclusive cove or distant lake.

          Because the heavens are putting on a lively light-show, which of course can be very dangerous, the Fundlebusters are inside the island comfortably awaiting the storm to subside and cease. There's a wooden door on the other side of the tree and when opened, a narrow stairway leads down inside the rock which contains several rooms. One of the rooms located directly at the foot of the stairs inside the rocky island is the control room, which is filled with pulleys, levers and all sorts of mechanical devices. There are several steel rods attached to the tree, which directs the lightning strikes to a powerful battery generated engine, which in turn powers the island and takes them to wherever they desire to go. Although the Fundlebusters have lived on top of some high mountain peaks, they mostly prefer to live near the water, so that's why Mr. Fundlebuster built the dinghy, Guppy so that he could row everyone ashore. 

          Island in the Sky was fun to paint and sometimes as the brushstrokes filled the canvas, I couldn't help giggling and getting excited about the weird family living on a floating island. I was doing a series of star-paintings while I was painting this picture and had plans of writing a story for each painting, then self-publishing a kid's book. But that's never going to happen and it's OK. Over the years often as not, the artwork never goes anywhere, just rattles around in my empty head or hangs on a wall. Since quite a few people have shown an interest in this painting over the years, could have sold it at one point, I'm thinking about ordering some giclees (stretched canvas reproductions)...peace, eh - Trip

          
          I still have the original Island in the Sky and it's for sale. Also, if anyone is interested in seeing or perhaps purchasing any of my other artwork or would like to check out any of my kids stories, just click on this Etsy link.  Also, if you're enjoying my blogs and don't want to miss any, please become a follower by simply clicking the FOLLOW button near the top right hand side of the page.