The Boy in the Window

It's the eyes that draw me.  Indeed they are windows to the soul.  

My inspiration for portrait #2 came  from a photograph taken by Japoi Cequina which I found here at National Geographic's "Faces of the World" collection.

As with the Girl with Green Eyes, my painting does not do this precious child justice.  But his face...those eyes...how could I resist?  I wish I knew more about both the photographer and his subject. However, I did find another photograph attributed to him, here, which shows his obvious talent.

Here's  the rough sketch...

The Boy in the Window (Stacy Wills, 2014)

pencil and watercolor on paper

Girl with Green Eyes

For the last few months my daily practice has consisted mainly of drawing small mandalas in my art journal.  Yesterday, however, I had the urge to do something else.  While out surfing the net, as I am want to do, I came across a series of photographs of the faces of people from all around the globe.  One in particular really drew me in…it was the face of a beautiful young girl from Bangladesh with the most penetrating and arresting green eyes. 

Here is the rough sketch I did in my art journal.

Girl with Green Eyes (Stacy Wills, 2014)

pencil and watercolor on paper

 I couldn't remember what website I was on when I found her, but in going back to search just now, I discovered the photograph was taken by travel photographer, David Lazar.   His work is amazing - do check him out.  

My painting does  not do her justice…not even close…but I was so captivated by her, I had to try.  I tend to go through phases in my art…I feel a strong portrait phase coming on. 

Clothed with the Sun

Clothed with the Sun (Stacy Wills, 2012)

photography + sacred altering

There is a morning inside you

waiting to burst open into light.

-Rumi  (1207 - 1273)

Source image:  Sunrise at Orange Beach, Alabama

With that Moon Language

Eye Candy (Stacy Wills, 2013)

photography/sacred altering

With that Moon Language

Admit something:

Everyone you see, 

you say to them,

"Love me."

Of course you do not

do this out loud,

otherwise someone 

would call the cops.

Still though, think about this,

this great pull in us

to connect.

Why not become the one

who lives with a full moon

in each eye

that is always saying,

with that sweet moon language,

what every other eye

in this world

is dying to hear.

-Hafiz (1325-1389)

Creation Two Ways: A Visual Meditation

This video, Creation Two Ways, is really at the heart of what this new blog is about.  Although it falls into the mandala category (and can also be found on my other blog), the alteration process used to transform my  photographs into digital mandalas, is what Sacred Alter is all about...taking one art form and transforming it into another by a means beyond my natural capability.

Creation Two Ways, is a creative response to some of the material I am currently engaging with in an online course, Women on the Threshold, offered through Abbey of the Arts.   This week we have been immersed in the life, writings,  music and art of Hildegard of Bingen.    Mandalas are something Hildegard and I  share in common.

If you are not able to view the video on my blog, you can watch it here on YouTube.  It is best viewed in full screen if possible.  Enjoy!