Somewhere I heard the quote: “Go as far as you can see and you will see further.” These words became my guiding light while working on this painting. I started Driving Fire as the largest piece for my first solo exhibition in Italy. The deep green viridian color called to me yet gave no other instructions.
I chose a color that represents heart energy. The selection of Hollywood seemed a fit because it is a place where millions go to follow their dreams. It is a place of infinite possibilities and a place where many get disillusioned in the pursuit of doing what they love.
I took the photo inspiration for this work during an evening out with curator Alfio Borghese. It was on his remote farm near Paliano, Italy (south of Rome) that this painting took flight.
At times this painting got tied to old wells, trees, farm machinery and various buildings around the property.
I felt the most free and the most confused while making this painting.
(photo above by Fabio de Paolis)
I really couldn’t see how the painting would possibly get finished in time for the opening.
Whenever surprise guests showed up on the farm for long traditional Italian meals in the middle of the day, it always seemed to be this painting that I was working on.
(a few of the above friends: art critic Paolo Mangiante, curator Alfio Borghese, art critic Paola Boschieri, & photographer Fabio de Paolis)
I laughed a lot while making this painting because I was sure the scenarios that took place behind the scenes belonged in a movie.
My loves, Virgola and Punto, the farm dogs that kept close to me during the residency usually took shelter next to this painting during frequent rain storms. Although I wished they wouldn’t since the oil was still wet, the threat of dog fur in the paint was the least of my worries. My head swam with thoughts completely the opposite of what I would advise others to think in creating a positive work environment. Then I remembered to change my thoughts.
I returned to the words: “Go as far as you can see and you will see further…”
I remembered my father’s saying from his time in the US Marines: “adapt, improvise and overcome,” and that is exactly what I had to do. I could not control the outcome of the painting by thinking about what would happen if I never figured it out. Giving up would not finish the painting…and I always talk about painting with joy…where did the joy go? I had to think differently…I had to find the joy in the not knowing.
I began to see this painting as a parallel to life. I couldn’t see to the end of its creation, just like we can’t see through the course of our lives…moving forward is a matter of trust.
Driving Fire refers to the deep passion in any person to move forward in the direction of whatever it is that they desire. This fire lives in all of us whether it rages or gets a little muffled. It’s not always safe, easy or fun this drive…but the alternative is less fun. The end of a famous Winston Churchill quote says, “…it is the courage to continue that counts.” Sometimes continuing forward means finding a way to re-ignite the energies that drive us regardless of the circumstances and learning to trust along the way.
Driving Fire by Brooke Harker
ink, oil & acrylic on canvas
59″ x 66″ (150cm x 169cm)
(above: curator Alfio Borghese, artists Elena Sevi & Brooke Harker, art critic Marcello Carlino of Rome at the opening of “Una Prospettiva Eclettica” at Villa Comunale di Frosinone)
Brooke Harker
