Celtic Flame

22 in x 22 in,

2/2024

I had intended to make this painting in the colors of DanceBlue, the philanthropic organization that supports pediatric oncology efforts at the hospital where I work. Every year they hold a silent auction for fundraising, and for several years I've donated paintings to them. Their colors are yellows/golds, blues and whites. I laid down the yellows first, really emptying my art cart and using dozens of distinct yellows and golds for the circular arching bands that I made with a geometric compass. But after the yellows were laid down, it just didn't seem like a pattern that would be amenable to the DanceBlue color scheme. Instead, it looked something like a Celtic knot to me, and I saw warm colors - reds, oranges and browns - complementing the yellow. So I filled in the patterning that way. When it was all done, it looked like it was a smoldering fire, so I called it "Celtic Flame".