| "Moonlight Sonata" 10x20" acrylic on canvas (C) Cara Bevan 2007 |
| "Sunrise Waltz" 10x20" acrylic on canvas (C) Cara Bevan 2007 |
| I have always been interested in fantasy. In fact, the very reason I can paint and draw the way I can today is because of my fantasies. Ever since I decided to become a wildlife artist, though, my focus on fantasy has faded. My dear friend Collin Tomlinson broke me of this trend when he inspired “Moonlight Sonata.” Dragons are widely known as being brutish beasts, but at the same time they are thought of as kind, gentle, and intelligent creatures. I prefer to see the good in them, thus the young and relaxed Western, or European, dragon I used as my subject. The bright blue dragon sits peacefully on a grassy cliff overlooking an ocean, staring dreamily at the night sky. There are two dragon constellations in the stars, see if you can find them. I usually use photos as reference for my work, but with this painting I was on my own. I never knew painting from your deepest fantasies would be so fun! People and places may change, but your dreams are always there for you. |
| “Sunrise Waltz” is the companion to “Moonlight Sonata.” I chose to paint an Eastern, or Chinese, dragon as my subject. Chinese dragons are said to be very wise and gentle, rarely are they aggressive. They are the most recorded of all mythical creatures. Their history dates back thousands of years, appearing in the first Chinese writings! To match the sister painting, I made the elegant dragon gazing at a sunrise. I didn’t know it at the time I was painting it, but I made this dragon royal. It is said in Chinese history that the Imperial Dragon was golden yellow in color with five toes. This dragon was so special that only the emperor could have items to represent it. Anyone else with the symbol of this dragon on their clothes or on items in their possession was put to death! But that was a long time ago. All this dragon wants now is to observe nature in peace, so he chose the secluded roof of a Chinese temple as his perch. Sometimes it’s good to stop and smell the roses – or watch the sunrise – to start you off to a good day. |
| All artwork and information (C) to Cara Bevan and Art from the Heart. Refer to contact for questions. |