2003 - 30" x 22" - Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
In the depths of a living cavern in southern Arizona, where incredible natural formations of great variety and color continue to grow with the constant dripping of mineral-laden water, I first heard the music of Karl Jenkins and his Adiemus project. The timeless, meditative music was perfect to accompany the gently-illuminating light show revealing the awesome beauty of the main cavern, and the gigantic column named Kubla Khan. Our small group exited the tour in near silence, in a respectful reverence for the stunning natural formations we had just seen.
Later, in the gift shop that helps to fund the care of Kartchner Caverns, we were pleased to find a CD available containing the music we had just heard, and we discovered Karl Jenkins’ Adiemus music to be excitingly inventive. One of his CDs is called Adiemus II: Cantata Mundi, the latter part essentially meaning “song of the world.” I liked the concept of that title and the visual images it might imply.
Using some old stencils I’d recently rediscovered, which had belonged to my Russian grandfather, I quickly painted in the word CANTATA. I debated about using the word MUNDI, but associated images were already blossoming in my mind, so I went with it. I tried to create a feeling of movement and music, earthly images and colors, as well as jewel tones; a feeling of life and joy. A song of the world.
The original painting is in the collection of Becky Douglas.