Eleanora

The first painting which inspired the Safari Series, which was exhibited at MAHEC in Asheville, NC in 2016. It was also on display during a one-woman show at the Western North Carolina Counseling center in 2016 and in the Westside Co-Op in trendy, artsy West Asheville during 2016 and 2017. 

Eleanora represents my maternal grandmother, Eleanor, whose talent I was blessed to recieve, along with books, brushes, and other items from her possession. I feel her when I paint, and I think about her every time I pick up a lovingly held brush or skim over her notes in her art books.  Elephants remind me of my grandmother because they are maternal and gentle, they have a fierce spirit when needed but the foresight to pick their battles. Wise and compassionate, their natures reflect my grandmother’s.

As I painted this, I remembered the nature and wildlife documentaries with which I have been fascinated for years, and the theme carried the remainder of my Safari Series.

2016
36×48″ Acrylic on Canvas.
Original available.
Prints available.
Signed JBray.