Fossil Bed

Oil on canvas, 30 X 40 inches, April 16, 2015

Fossil Bed is based on a photograph I found on the internet of a particular blue slug.  As I laid out the composition I realized that it is these types of non vertebrate creatures that leave very little fossil evidence of their existence and evolution.  Similarly, the octopus was added for the same reason, and its position and design were composed for dramatic effect.  I left the background in earth tones to contrast with the two intensely colored sea creatures.  Many images of fossils were added into the stones, some more obvious than others, and some were invented by suggestions in the patterns of the paint.  I studied several books on evolution and drew the fossil types from various periods without regard to chronology, geography or geology.  My interest was to get the mind into a meditative state to contemplate searching for hints of the past in the world around us.