Big Dipper painting

Acrylic and chalk on primed paper with a blue painted metal earring sewn on with red thread. The silver brushed metal frame measures 29 by 23 inches. Wired and ready to hang.

The actual painting measures 23 by 17 inches. Surrounding and protecting it is a silver gray mat. Positioned on top is a floating mat of the same color. This second mat allows the earring to hang freely with out rubbing against the glass. (Note about the photos: the glass reflects my bookshelf and other surroundings. The darker image of Big Dipper was taken when the painting was unfinished and is the only photo I possess that was taken before the piece was framed under glass.)

Since I was a girl I loved to identify the Big Dipper in the sky. Our family visited the local museum that included an observatory, and I remember my dad pointing out the Big Dipper one night while we were outside in our yard. Ever since then I point it out to whoever I’m with when I spot it in the night sky. Also, in this painting is a soup ladle that is reminiscent of the one my mom used for her delicious beef vegetable soup. The negative space is a pattern of tiny plus signs (+) representing the stars.I did this painting along with a series called The Moon in June in 1996.