Oftentimes when I paint, I find images quite by "accident" and then coax them out of the dark. It's a subconscious journey that I don't tend to understand until much later, when the painting is finished. It's then that I realize what had been in my heart and in my mind at the time.
The title of this piece came from Shakespeare's Richard III after he is unhorsed on the field at the climax of the battle, leaving him vulnerable to many losses... including his entire kingdom. To be in transition is to be vulnerable to many losses, some expected and some not – hope and dread tip in equal measure. Little moments that may not have seemed important when life is steady, become exceedingly important at a moment’s notice.
"My Kingdom..." is a symbol of embarkment on an unknown journey and the surprises along the way. Although the king seems to be the main character, he is actually the antagonist, conjuring words that eloquently wreak havoc. He is the obstacle that must be overcome. The horse now has unexpected power to embark upon its own journey to cross the threshold and begin life anew.
