This painting was originally inspired by a Giotto fresco, Saint Francis Preaching to the Birds. A few years ago, I did several large monotypes based on the Giotto fresco. I wasn’t satisfied with the monotypes I made, so I set them aside. I never throw anything away; I will either paint over things, or cut them up to use as a collage, or recycle them in some other manner.
Anyway, a few years went by, during which I moved studios twice. Finally settled in my current studio, I took the “failed” monotypes out again. I continued to paint over this one, using my memory of the original Giotto fresco and also my imagination.
In the original fresco, there are two figures: Saint Francis with a halo, and another guy who looks like a rather grumpy monk. In my painting, the grumpy monk got transformed into a woman wearing vivid red. At first I thought she was Saint Clare, a friend and spiritual colleague of Saint Francis.
But as I spent time painting, I came to a different conclusion. The woman in red is not a saint. For one thing, she does not have a halo. In fact, I decided that the woman is me.
In my painting, I am watching Saint Francis and the birds have a special moment together. This time, Saint Francis does more listening than talking. He is listening to the wisdom of the birds.
I am also learning how to listen.
“Listening to Birds” monotype and additional oil painting on primed paper, 12x9 inches
“Listening to Birds” (oil painting detail)
“Listening to Birds” (oil painting detail)
“Listening to Birds” (oil painting detail)
“Listening to Birds” (oil painting detail)
“Listening to Birds” (oil painting detail)
another (smaller) painting in this series:
“Birds, Listening” color monotype with additional oil painting, 8.5x6.5 inches, oil on primed paper mounted to board