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NOCTURNES

Dionysys wrote of a Divine Darkness– a darkness that only appears dark because it is so dazzlingly bright. As I reluctantly set my clocks forward to Daylight Savings Time, I kept thinking.. What is it about our modern culture that we fear the dark of night so much? We seem obsessed with lighting up every little corner of our sphere. So out into the wilderness I go. Backpacking several miles into the mountains seems the only way to get away from all the artificial brightness. It is dark, yes. But it can also be shockingly bright, as the moon and stars shine brighter where there is no competition. It is that feeling of luminous darkness I’m seeking to capture. These paintings begin with layer upon layer of light, visually textured and abstracted underpaintings. Then, in a process that is either incredibly brave or equally foolhardy, the light underpainting is completely covered in a dark, opaque layer of paint. Through a process of subtractive rendering including the use of water, brushes, squeegees, and whatever else is at hand, the landscape and the light reveal themselves. As I cover up the underpainting, I have no idea of the final scene that will be revealed. A journey into darkness is necessary to find my way. It is in the unknowing in the midst of the darkness that the light becomes bright enough to see.

Artwork in NOCTURNES

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  1. Quietly Shattering by Lesley Frenz, Image 12.

    Quietly Shattering, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    40 x 60 x 2 in

    $3,600

  2. Formless Quietude by Lesley Frenz, Image 2.

    Formless Quietude, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    40 x 60 x 2 in

  3. Glimmering Hope by Lesley Frenz, Image 1.

    Glimmering Hope, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    40 x 60 x 2 in

  4. Rise, Radiant by Lesley Frenz, Image 6.

    Rise, Radiant, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    40 x 40 x 2 in

    $2,600

  5. Blue of No Mind by Lesley Frenz, Image 7.

    Blue of No Mind, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    40 x 40 x 2 in

    $2,600

  6. Sweeter Than Sunrise by Lesley Frenz, Image 9.

    Sweeter Than Sunrise, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    40 x 40 x 2 in

    $2,600

  7. Veil Lifted by Lesley Frenz, Image 8.

    Veil Lifted, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    30 x 30 x 2 in

    $1,500

  8. Speak, Earth and Sky by Lesley Frenz, Image 5.

    Speak, Earth and Sky, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    30 x 30 x 2 in

    $1,500

  9. Longing Itself by Lesley Frenz, Image 10.

    Longing Itself, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    30 x 30 x 2 in

  10. Enter the Unknowing, Image 5.

    Enter the Unknowing, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    24 x 24 x 2 in

  11. Newness of Being, Image 9.

    Newness of Being, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    24 x 24 x 2 in

  12. Beyond Light by Lesley Frenz, Image 2.

    Beyond Light, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    24 x 24 x 2 in

  13. Radiant Stillness by Lesley Frenz, Image 2.

    Radiant Stillness, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    16 x 20 x 2 in

  14. A Thousand Flights by Lesley Frenz, Image 8.

    A Thousand Flights, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    16 x 20 x 2 in

    $750

  15. Shining Clearly by Lesley Frenz, Image 7.

    Shining Clearly, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    12 x 24 x 2 in

    $700

  16. Night's Unruffled Reign by Lesley Frenz, Image 11.

    Night's Unruffled Reign, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    12 x 24 x 2 in

    $700

  17. Divine Light by Lesley Frenz, Image 3.

    Divine Light, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    12 x 24 x 2 in

  18. Unutterable Radiance by Lesley Frenz, Image 3.

    Unutterable Radiance, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    12 x 12 x 2 in

  19. Breathing Stillness by Lesley Frenz, Image 6.

    Breathing Stillness, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    12 x 12 x 2 in

    $500

  20. This Deep Silence by Lesley Frenz, Image 1.

    This Deep Silence, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    12 x 12 x 2 in

    $500

  21. Radiant Clarity by Lesley Frenz, Image 4.

    Radiant Clarity, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    12 x 12 x 2 in

  22. Awaken My Heart by Lesley Frenz, Image 1.

    Awaken My Heart, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    10 x 10 x 2 in

  23. Treasure to Daze by Lesley Frenz, Image 1.

    Treasure to Daze, 2022

    Acrylic and cold wax on cradled wood panel

    10 x 10 x 2 in