Beltane is a positive concept piece created near the end of the Van Psycho Period. It depicts a celebratory moment, still using the linear expressive brush strokes in high key colors, but now in a slightly more mellow fashion indicating warm and cool, light and shadow. In this scenario the color is not intended to disturb the eye but to call attention to the varying story aspects of the composition.
Beltane by Amy E. Fraser is part of a series of Pagan celebration paintings created for a Thesis project at Parsons.
This Beltane painting was inspired by Vivianne Crowley’s description “At Beltane or Bright Fire on May Eve, fires were lit on hills all over the land to symbolize the waxing power of the Sun. Cattle were blessed and driven through the fire to clean their hides of ticks and the people would dance deosil round the fire.” ---Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Millennium
Wiki Defines Beltane as “one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals: Samhain (~1 November), Imbolc (~1 February), Beltane (~1 May), and Lughnasadh (~1 August). Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season, when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were held at that time to protect them from harm, both natural and supernatural, and this mainly involved the "symbolic use of fire". There were also rituals to protect crops, dairy products and people, and to encourage growth. The aos sà (often referred to as spirits or fairies) were thought to be especially active at Beltane (as at Samhain) and the goal of many Beltane rituals was to appease them. Most scholars see the aos sà as remnants of the pagan gods and nature spirits. Beltane was a "spring time festival of optimism" during which "fertility ritual again was important, perhaps connecting with the waxing power of the sun".
Acrylic on Canvas by Amy E. Fraser (1992-97). All images copyright Amy E. Fraser. All rights reserved. For more Amy E. Fraser art and information go to Aefraser.com
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| Beltane by Amy E Fraser |
This Beltane painting was inspired by Vivianne Crowley’s description “At Beltane or Bright Fire on May Eve, fires were lit on hills all over the land to symbolize the waxing power of the Sun. Cattle were blessed and driven through the fire to clean their hides of ticks and the people would dance deosil round the fire.” ---Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Millennium
Wiki Defines Beltane as “one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals: Samhain (~1 November), Imbolc (~1 February), Beltane (~1 May), and Lughnasadh (~1 August). Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season, when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were held at that time to protect them from harm, both natural and supernatural, and this mainly involved the "symbolic use of fire". There were also rituals to protect crops, dairy products and people, and to encourage growth. The aos sà (often referred to as spirits or fairies) were thought to be especially active at Beltane (as at Samhain) and the goal of many Beltane rituals was to appease them. Most scholars see the aos sà as remnants of the pagan gods and nature spirits. Beltane was a "spring time festival of optimism" during which "fertility ritual again was important, perhaps connecting with the waxing power of the sun".
Acrylic on Canvas by Amy E. Fraser (1992-97). All images copyright Amy E. Fraser. All rights reserved. For more Amy E. Fraser art and information go to Aefraser.com
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