Total eclipse 22N 105.2W Painting

"Total Eclipse" was a finalist in the St. George Art Awards 2012, Hurstville City Council, NSW, Australia. "Total eclipse 22N 105.2W", part of my "Point of Departure" series, relates to an amazing experience I had when viewing the most spectacular total eclipse of the XX century which passed over Latin America and of course over Costa Rica on July 11th, 1991. Thus the coordinates. This was the most central total eclipse in history and there will not be another eclipse like this in 800 years. A great joy in my life is global travel, taking in the bright colours of all walks of life and those of nature. To me every journey has a "Point of Departure" - a physical, or metaphorical, starting point from which an experience of discovery awaits - the entrance to a rain forest national park, or to a UNESCO historical site, the launching pad for a balloon ride over the desert in Alice Springs, Australia, to the trail-head to a hike up an active volcano; but also the moment of decision when one starts to plan an adventure. For over 18 years I was a tour guide and tour director in my country of birth Costa Rica, as well as numerous travels around the globe. The works in “Point of Departure” refer not only to memories of amazing natural phenomena I came to experience, but on memories of my feelings and reactions as well - feelings and reactions evoked by these visual, aural, natural, social and cultural experiences. (Oil, oil stick, acrylic and soluble graphite on stretched canvas, D rings in place, edges show painting process, un-framed, ready to hang) (Photo taken by Monica Renaud)