"Synergy" 36x48 Oil on canvas.
I am so happy with this painting... It has been an idea in the back of my mind for a while but I have been reluctant to start for its technicality.
One day I was feeling ambitious and pulled out my largest canvas to begin. The drawing took the longest time as I had to space and position each zebra in an interesting way. We, as humans, are drawn to patterns and repetition and subconsciously we create these patterns. As I drew out the zebras, stripes would line up equally spaced and patterns began to emerge, so I would erase it all and start over deliberately avoiding this. The more chaotic it is, the more natural it will look!
Eventually I made it work and began the time-intensive task of creating the spectrum of color. Zebras are black and white, but if you really look, the white displays the whole spectrum in warms and cools under light and shadow. I wanted to capture this! I didn't want my zebras to just be black and white, how boring, they needed to colorful, but look natural!
Fading the zebras into the background and dust proved an additional challenge to keep all the colors balanced.
I was very drawn to the red in the zebras mane... this helps break up the black and white I think, and necessary.
There is a reason one is going in the opposite direction. That is a personal statement. In a world of so much black and white and monotony, repetition and routine, there I am, going against the crowd, making my own way!
If you have noticed with naming my other paintings I like to choose interesting words that provoke thought but have a deep meaning. Synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. I thought it was a perfect name as the herd of zebras combined produce an electric energy that is exciting and stimulating!
Limited Edition Prints are available now, signed and numbered. I would love to bring this beautiful painting into your home. Check it out here.
Oil painting by James Corwin - Wildlife Artist
