Brian Fisher Print, Paint and Sculpture Blog

"Centaurs", Brian Fisher. Monotype Print (1/1), 10 x 10 in. The Ailanthus Altissima, Tree of Heaven, planted by my Grandma Fisher had metamorphosed into a thicket resembling a giant asparagus patch by the time I was born.  My cousin, brother and I had however recognized the trees true equine nature and would each select and snap a brittle steed from the patch and gallop up the creek bank and into the pasture.  While they imagined themselves as cowboys or Indians I knew, I always knew, we were Centaurs. From “The Centaur” by May Swenson My forelock swung in my eyes, my neck arched and I snorted. I shied and skittered and reared, stopped and raised my knees, pawed at the ground and quivered. My teeth bared as we wheeled and swished through the dust again. I was the horse and the rider, and the leather I slapped to his rump spanked my own behind. Doubled, my two hoofs beat a gallop along the bank, the wind twanged in my mane, my mouth squared to the bit. And yet I sat on my...

"Nature Boy", Brian Fisher, Monotype Print with 24k gold leaf.       When I was young my Grandma Lula and I were big fans of Nat King Cole.  Whenever we listened to records (all the time) I asked that she play his soulful recording of "Nature Boy" over & over and yes... one more time please?  This green man image is one of several monotype prints inspired by Eden Ahbez's magical  words and Cole's rendition of "Nature Boy".  Listen to the link below. Nature Boy There was a boy A very strange enchanted boy They say he wandered very far, very far Over land and sea A little shy and sad of eye But very wise was he And then one day A magic day he passed my way And while we spoke of many things Fools and kings This he said to me The greatest thing you'll ever learn Is just to love and be loved in return The greatest thing you'll ever learn Is just to love and be loved in return Eden Ahbez

Inspired by the trees and landscape around me, all seemingly illuminated from within.  This is "Seasons Change", 10 x 10 in. collograph print over wood panel. Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees. Faith Baldwin, American author.

Kronos, painted steel Threshold Guardian, garden art. Thresholds are boundaries between worlds.  They are liminal because they are neither here nor there, in or out. They represent end and they are beginning.  They may exist as physical boundaries, the wood or stone lintel at your feet, but are also embodiment of the worlds where the unconscious and awakened consciousness meet. They are time out of time. Once upon a time I ran. I was fast enough to win some races.  What I remember best about those experiences were out of body movement towards a simple goal, a finish line. The guardian of the threshold was time himself. I have been working on new interpretations of personal threshold guardians.  Above is my take on Kronos, “Father Time” (watches and clocks were once called chronographs). Kronos is for me the running man, embodiment of the race, our dance in time and my own experience of timelessness. -->

Enki, The Great One.  Also known as Ea in Babylonian mythology, Enki is the Sumerian god of water, knowledge, mischief and creation.  He's part if my series about Babylonian sky maps.  Enki is a mixed media rust print over panel.

This is my monotype print "The Greening".  I'm working on other images, subjects, but the Green Man keeps appearing!  Obviously he is emblematic of - A New Green Deal   If we are to have a future it is imperative that we focus on mitigation of human impact on Earth's climate. Make Earth Green Again, MEGA!