Light in the Forest

In a dark place, it takes only a small light to make a difference.

Although many of us have heard variations of this form of wisdom, it’s... more

by Steve Henderson

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Price

$2,600

Dimensions

24.000 x 30.000 inches

Title

Light in the Forest

Artist

Steve Henderson

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

In a dark place, it takes only a small light to make a difference.

Although many of us have heard variations of this form of wisdom, it’s difficult to fully comprehend in a world of electric lights, in which we rarely experience complete and total darkness. In the average living room, ablaze with lamps and screens and ambient lighting, one small candle seems negligible, but out in the forest, where there are no street lamps, one small candle shines brightly and true.

The artwork, Light in the Forest, invites the viewer to step into twilight in just such a forest, as two young women stand with candles, protecting the fragile flames from the evening breeze. Although it is not yet completely dark, we know that it soon will be, and these two small points of light are all that will illuminate our environs.

Who are these two young women? Why are they dressed the way they are? Are they part of some ritual, some celebration, some event? As with many representational paintings, Light in the Forest begins the story, and invites the viewer to continue it, to embellish it, to bring it to completion.

The soft, warm glow of the candle’s flame illuminates the faces of both young women, which brings us to another thought: too often, in today’s society, the light that shines is not the soft warm glow of a candle, but the harsh, brilliant glare of a spotlight, directed onto the face of a celebrity actor, politician, religious leader, or financier. “Look at this person!” the spotlight directs. “They are important, because such a bright light is shining on them!”

But the spotlight, though bright, does little to illuminate the darkness around it, so blinding is it to the eyes. Better the candle, in a quiet spot, held by a very real person who protects the flame so that others can be drawn toward it.

Featured in 43 Fine Art America groups.

Uploaded

August 29th, 2018

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