The Studio & Spirits Dream, First Detail

Barbara Sparhawk

The Studio & Spirits Dream, First Detail

DETAIL: “The Studio & Spirits Dream” Oil on Canvas.
I spent the last decade uprooted and on the road. I landed in a barn for awhile on a millionaire’s horse ranch, eventually turning the tack room into a studio that was liveable, enabling me to move out of the ranch’s bunkhouse (12 X 12 foot room with sink) and take up barn residence. It was a wonderful place for 4 years with horse pasture – about 200 occupants – out the door. Goats, sheep, mule named Corizon and Rambo the Ram in stalls and paddock on the other side, the Santa Lucia range all misty , mooned, sunned, gusted, and Milky Wayed before me. And it was the first functional studio I’d had in years. I wrote. And I painted.
This dream, this studio I painted there, is crowded with things I loved and hadn’t seen in ages, stored on the other side of America. Over filled with people I’d loved who’d died. With animals alive and not, who still owned my heart. With a chair from my twenties that no longer existed and the dream of my own bed again where such dreams could populate my nights. The cats who survived the move from Brooklyn then to Virginia’s wilderness then across country are on my bed, and some who departed before we got there, here too. My wonderful chocolate Lab – Rodin – is on alert at the bed’s end. A woodstove I’d seen once that would restore life to this heatless barn (I eventually got a kerosene heater). Some of my many thousands of books I carry with me that prop up my life are here, and all the intimate angels swinging through the undone work, the ready easel, the heart’s workplace.

The Hawks Perch

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The Studio & Spirits Dream, First Detail by Barbara Sparhawk
  • whisperingruth

    whisperingruth

    So special of you to share a part of Barbara with your fans . . . All your loving pet friends are depicted in a fashion only you can create . . . so loyal and regal . . . all still surrounding you with their spirits in present life as while as magnificently immortalized in your fine art . . . thank you so much for sharing Barbara . . . the words, the art, it’s all so beautiful!

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thank you dear friend for all you’ve written. This was a surprisingly emotional experience to upload here. For one thing I had no idea what I painted until I photographed it. And I surprised myself as I described it.

  • ~ Ademac

    ~ Ademac

    Gorgeous snapshot of your life and loves…..........thanks for sharing.

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    This is some perfect atmosphere for sharing, our RedBubble and all my new friends here. Thank you Adrian. And thanks too for all the views of your heart.

  • Sande Elkins

    Sande Elkins

    Thanks for sharing this Barbara. I’m reminded of Van Goghs painting of that single bed and chair in that stingy little room. You have painted your room, your life, and it is full of love and creativity, learning and experience and sheer joy of living. Such a contrast, such a full and wonderful life you have lived up to this point with more wonderful adventures to come.

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    That’s the best description of VanGogh’s room I’ve ever heard, it is “stingy”. It was that attitude that he so painfully incorporated into his life, to make himself more holy, which it did not.
    And I thank you again for enjoying my work, I do pile in so much which is funny to me now you’ve pointed it out, I am a great believer in excess in all things. Starting with dessert.

  • Robert Mullner

    Robert Mullner

    Love looking around these great artworks from you…so much in there.

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thank you Robert! I can’t get enough of the pictures you take, and will buy some in time to eliminate the longing for your extraordinary skies and seascapes. Very kind of you to say what you did.

  • funkyfacestudio

    funkyfacestudio

    Incredible artwork!!!

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thank you funkyface.

  • DawsonImages

    DawsonImages

    I like the warm tones used

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thanks, Dawson. It was a warm dream in a perfect climate.

  • Helene Kippert

    Helene Kippert

    Just beautiful Barbara – thanks for sharing a slice of your life!

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    It’s a crowded life, too. Thank you Helene.

  • Brad Sumner GLP

    Brad Sumner GLP

    Wow! A stunning painting and wonderful commentary! You have led an interesting life, Barbara!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you Brad. It was interesting to describe, and I have to think…where was I then? My paintings in some ways are bookmarks in my life, they orient me.

  • Lidiya Filipova

    Lidiya Filipova

    Thank you for sharing this magical world with us, Barbara, a Van Gogh’s reminincsence…but certainly bold, full of character and feeling…

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thank you Lidiya! I don’t think magic is very far from us any of the time, and what we conjure we can have.
    The print of your wonderful painting is beside me on the wall and a great pleasure in my life. I can’t look at it enough. I’ll try and post the buyer’s photos soon.
    Thank you for what you’ve said about my work, and thank you for all you’ve added to my experience with your art, and yourself.

  • Lidiya Filipova replied

    Thank you, Barbara, for your warm words, and I am so happy that part of me is already with you, hope it will bring you only joy! You know what magic is, thank you for being into my world!

  • Michael Gatch

    Michael Gatch

    this is awesome!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thanks so much, Michael.
    I’ve really been enjoying your very experimental work.

  • Michael Gatch replied

    haha. I was just very bored tonight. The rest is just my typical work. I very much enjoy what I do.

  • kcranmer

    kcranmer

    Beautiful work and I love the mood!

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thanks for saying this, kc.
    I will never get over your pictorial dream tribute to Axel Moore. So perfectly wonderful and filled with a calming hope.

  • Douzy

    Douzy

    Yoir hole portfolio is so impressive. I love the richness of your paintings. It’s like they are all saturated with passion and talent all over.

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thank you so much, Douzy. It’s an enormous pleasure to read what you’ve said, makes me happy I put so many here, after all. Many thanks.

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    I like this style, beautiful job and scene

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Much appreciated, Antanas. You deal with dreams so much in your work, but this is a rare excursion for me. All of it terribly important and a big part of life.

  • Jeff Burns

    Jeff Burns

    Gorgeous work this is beautiful

  • Gene Praag

    Gene Praag

    Stunning work! Beautifully done!

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thanks, Jeff, wonderful for you to say.

    And Gene, many thanks, much appreciated.

  • Louise Cooke

    Louise Cooke

    The intensity in your work really is your trademark Barbara. There is so much to explore in this painting, and it’s great to view the richness of your life :)

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Lovely thought for you to put into words, Louise; very nice to hear this said. I’m not sure if it’s coincidental or where I’m heading, but it sure is what I feel with painting. And this comment from the woman whose trains and travels set me free…having your photo of Journeys Through Windows of Opportunity has been a joy and liberation.

  • Christopher Ewing

    Christopher E...

    excellent ..wow!! i love it, and love how you put the things in your life here

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Hello Christopher!! Thank you so much. I don’t often think to make historical documents about me, and didn’t really plan this, the pressing volume of dreams & all I wanted near me popped this out. Great to hear from you.

  • Christopher Ewing

    Christopher E...

    well you did this justice, and usually the best stuff is the stuff you dont expect to be something, you just let the creative juicies flow, this is awesome

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you again, Christopher. You’re absolutely right. There have been a half dozen times when I was sure something would be ignored or not important to anyone else, and invariably it gets surprising attention. And a good thing to keep in mind for life, not holding back. Wish I was 100% there, working on it.

  • coffeebean

    coffeebean

    These three are truly lovely showing your wonderful painting. Beautiful story to accompany these which I so enjoyed reading

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    So glad you said that, coffeebean. I know I can go on and on, but I figure those not interested will just skip it and meanwhile I have things to say! Thanks so much for your interest in my work, it’s very heartwarming indeed.

  • lightleake

    lightleake

    Lovely

  • Mugsy

    Mugsy

    This painting comes together so nicely!

  • pjm123

    pjm123

    its amazing how well we can connect with this piece, how each memory is transmited through you art and how we share the things that you hold dear. Fascinating…

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    It is, pjm123, and I’m very pleased my painting’s been admired. Impossible figure how anything will be received after all.

  • Barbara Sparhawk

    Barbara Sparhawk

    Thanks so much, lightleake.
    Thank you, Mugsy, much appreciated.

  • ferndesign

    ferndesign

    this is awesome work well done

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thanks so much, ferndesign.

  • SNik

    SNik

    stunning work of art. love your style and art seen in your portofolio. thatks for watching me. Will reciprcate. Nikolay

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Many thanks for your complement, for liking my work, Nikolay. One of the lovely things about this place is the continuing discovery of new artists. You do terrific work, stark and wonderful.

  • Carlos Teófilo

    Carlos Teófilo

    Superb work.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you so much, Carlos. You’re very kind.

  • David Sandercoe

    David Sandercoe

    you live and work and write …... of an inspirational artist…....to us allll!!!!!

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    David, thank you so very much. Makes my heart feel good to read this, and grateful for the inspiration from you and other fine artists here.

  • amarica

    amarica

    Gorgeous art

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Very kind, thanks so much amarica.

  • Mia1

    Mia1

    Gorgeous and very well done.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you so much. Mia1. I never know about posting things, and I’m so glad you like this.

  • dSart

    dSart

    same as what sande said
    love it
    thanks for sharing

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Thank you so much, dSart.

  • Vasile Stan

    Vasile Stan

    I so love your writing style Barbara, it makes me feel I’m a part of that story rather than a`bystander… and you topped it off with this beautiful detail of your art, a life within a life within your life… wonderful all. The only reality withstanding time is the reality of our memories… taken with us beyond our earthly lives.

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    What a lovely complement, iCandor. Thank you for saying this, it means so very much to me, more than you know. Or I should say, so you DO know, writing in my own voice, and to include the reader in the experience, is something I have always strived to do. And painting my life, too. Many thanks.

  • apjenkins

    apjenkins

    wonderful writing and very special artwork thankyou so very much for sharing

  • Barbara Sparhawk replied

    Very kind, this place has been a fantastic combination of outlet and intake for me, apjenkins.

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