Autumn 2012

Today is Saturday the 13th of Nov.  Time flies doesn't it?  I am in the process of moving my Studio to my house, which I am very excited about.  It will give me so much more room.  Nocci and I will be together most of the time and hope to get a great rhythm going.  Working on a large piece now but have been tied up with this move for the past couple of weeks.  Work coming up in from California soon.  Nice to visit, work hard, make some money in the sun, and see all the beauty that is ever present in the desert.  This time of year the trees start blooming.  So cool.  The smells of the annuals are so intoxicating. Oh, just takes my breath away.
Life has been interesting lately and I find myself at odds with myself in terms of direction and planning for the future.  A big part of me would move to Palm Desert, yet I have family here.  I can't stand the cold and the winters in Denver.  So God willing I will be in the desert in the winter months.
I find myself yearning for a touch from the Holy One! A spark of revelation or knowing.  Do you know what I mean.  Something to hold fast the rising water of doubt and indecision in my soul.  Art is my soul and my peace of mind.  I want to paint like a mad man.  I have so many paintings lined up in my head.  When to have the time? There is some reluctance to work at this pace.  I pray that I will find a "resting place" and contentment deep within me.  I need this to have solice and completeness in my work and in my thinking.  Hope all of you have an awesome Autumn.  So beautiful here.  God Bless, Michael

Artwork

I had a terrific time in Palm Desert, Ca.  It was a blast.  Met so many people.  The Cancer Auction went well as well.  Met many patrons and collectors of my work.  Even met the gentleman that had bought my two paintings called "The Golden Light over Silverton".  He was from the mid-west and such a nice guy, humble, and was so excited to meet me after all this time.  He said he flew in especially for the Show.  It was nice to hear all the stories connected to the Art work they had purchased.  When you think that I have sold over 150 paintings, mostly over 4x5 ft., in the past 7 years it hard to believe. It amazes me how much of my work is out there and how much it is appreciated.  I met these two gentlemen from one of the Country Clubs nearby and they had never seen my work.  They could not belief how much the texture enhanced the picture.  I hope to see them again!
The desert still gives me goose bumps every time I go there. The flowers and landscape is so primitive yet so rugged.  The smells from the creosote trees are amazing as well.  Palm Desert is like a bowl of ripe tomatoes with white buffalo cheese surrounded by the ever present rust chocolate molasses mountains!  As you look at these mountains they go back and back and back forever.  So sublime!

Had some great times with my Uncle Mike playing golf as well.  Hope to continue to go back there for years to come.  Take care everyone, Michael

Easter 2012

What a glorious Easter it was here.  Beautiful, no winds and warm.  Our Choir sang Stabat Mater, an unbelievable piece of music from Jenkins.  It was about the sorrowful mother of Jesus, Mary.  Roberta Griggs sang the solo female part and she was marvelous.  Such haunting yet beautiful melodies and tragic endings and a beautiful beginning all in one.  I was so proud to sing in this.  Jim, our director, has done some amazing and challenging pieces this year.  The music has made us laugh uncontrollably and cry as well. Pastor Janet came down before Good Friday night and prayed with us.  It was so emotional.  I cried as I sang.  All the Choir was choked up!  The Wesley Players did an awesome job with their portrayal of the apostles and soldiers and the Cross.  Moving beyond words.  So blessed to be part of this congregation...to sing to God as a help to allow God to work between the lines.  Emotion opens the heart.  It was thrilling and so moving.  Thank you Lord for this opportunity to be there and to sing my best.  It was a weekend to remember.
My sister had Easter Dinner and it was great. Lots of food and laughter and the Masters prooved to be so exciting with Bubba winning the green jacket.  Little Nocci enjoyed herself as well.  Man, this little dog loves to walk.  It is such a joy for her prancing and dancing along.  Saying Hi to everyone.  What a blessing she is to me.  I honestly do not know how I could have made it this past 3 years without her.  She is such a comfort and such a little snuggler.  God bless everyone. Thanks again for all my wonderful friends and you know who you are.  Thanks for your encouragement and for your sharing of your life with me!!!!!
More about the art and how it is coming along.  We are posting on Facebook now under The art of Michael Battaglia.  Check it out.  Blessings, Michael

What is happening?

Hey everyone, looks like another beautiful day in Colorado. I am furiously working toward a one man show in Palm Desert in April.  Have a few things on the wall, that I am working on.  Mostly gold leaf pieces, but I am still so intrigued with landscape.  God knew what He was doing creating the earth.  When you look around there is so much there!!!!!  Don't you think.  I mean really look.  It is like your eyes have been opened up.  For me it is this revelation that deep within its normalcy is this power of life, color, and meaning.  Are you following me? Like a meandering stream, that has been there for hundred of years.  What a story it tells.  I want to lay in the grassy meadow and look up in the sky in silence, hearing the rustling of the wind, the birds singing, the brook moving and splashing nearby, and if I am lucky, maybe that small silent voice of God.  Be at peace my son, for I will never leave you or forsake you! I want to be able to transform this revelation into the work at hand!  The picture deep inside!  Wow!  Peace everyone.  Have a great weekend.  Michael

The Voice of Action and Happiness

Today I feel so blessed.  So thankful for my family and my friends.  God has brought so many wonderful people into my life.  I pray that I will always have an open mind to their opinions and inevitable difference.  What a great thing that we are all made in God's image.  It is the glue that holds us together, despite our differences.
But onto the work.  I have been involved in helping some folks with projects in Los Angeles, Evergreen, and the Polo Club.  All terrific people and great to work for.  I did have the opportunity to work for Sly Stallone in Beverly Park.  What an amazing house.  I will attach some photos of small areas in the house that we did.  We have been working also for a super talented designer from Palm Desert in Evergreen, doing impact walls throughout their house.  Again, photos when we get close to the finish on this one.  The project in town was built on a project we did 12 years ago.  Some new work and touch up of existing walls.  Amazing that the finishes held up that long.  The one thing I can say is that I know from my heart that God made me to paint.  It is in my heart, my hands, my mind.  Completely filled with wonder and excitement about what is next.  I do one and another is right there.  My Holy Father guides me and directs my brush for his Glory!
I have been working on two pieces one in gold leaf and the other in a butterscotch gold color.  The golf leaf painting had almost a tribal emotional feel to it.  Bands of color over oil pastels.  New techniques!!! And the cool part is that I am getting to use some of my pressed and dried flowers from my yard.  So much fun.  So much beauty.  I could do this all day.  Loose track of the time and day.  Photos to come.
The other piece is a golden field with horses in the long grass looking out at the viewer.  They are caught up in the light of heaven in this golden field.  There are hilltowns and small villages on the treetops that overhang the field.  Topiary borders the stream that runs through the field.  Peace and contentment!  I hope people get that sense.
I also just completed a large piece that will be displayed at Bobbi Walker Fine Art that is called Lover's Moons over Sienna.  An angelic and scenic look at the fields, vineyards, trees and houses that border that magical town in Tuscany.  Look for photos to come.  I have recently gone back to some of my roots in terms of technique, and I am excited about the results.  Very raw and colorful.  Hope you like them.  God bless and keep smiling!  Michael