"Planta"
A Previous Featured Painting
" Planta "
acrylic & oil on oakwood
27 x 21 in © 2002 Gabriel Navar
In terms of the process, "Planta" became a painting the way I usually approach my paintings, whether it is a painting on paper, canvas, wood or found material(s). I usually begin by preparing the surface (sanding and priming) and then applying acrylic paint and building a background of a color that suits my interest at that moment. In the case of this painting, I felt like beginning with the color green, especially because of my enjoyment of the surrounding hills, foliage and welcoming of spring. I decided to leave the outer part of the painting natural in order to "frame" the picture. Also, the natural color of the tree plays an active role with the composition and color arrangements in the painting in an effort to connect the surface (the piece of the tree) with the content. "Planta" represents both a process (of cultivating) and a product (a state of being).
In the painting, I am concerned about interconnectedness and cycles of birth, growth, death and rebirth. The images speak of and about human connection with our natural surroundings. The tree, which once was a prominent part of many communities, has been transformed and will "live" and enjoyed by the community as art. The woman embraces a tree that simultaneously is a hand deep-rooted in the ground. The hand represents human connection to the land as well as the ability to transform communities through growth as well as the making of a place we call "home".
Hit PLAY to see a slideshow of the previous featured paintings.
more Featured Paintings
Visit my Current Featured Painting "app 4 disgruntled days". It was currently added to my site on April 2013. Also, visit my Archived Featured Paintings, I have about 20 Previous Featured Paintings. Each one of them has a story, a description about their creation as well as some background about their form, content and symbolism. Looking at the Previous Featured Paintings page I realize that I have had a wide range of interests over time in the figurative, narrative work that I have created over the years. I hope you can appreciate that an element that ties my work together is my desire to create thought provoking compositions that involve the figure, rich colors, and, often, the human theater.
If you enjoy the Featured Paintings know that it is updated three times per year on April, August and December. Please do return !
© Gabriel Navar 1989 - 2017 
You may contact me directly if you are interested in acquiring my artwork.