Hello All! After a recent trip out to Pennsylvania I felt creative juices really start to flow. There were so many traditional items that inspired me to get painting again. So, here is the first piece, the Distelfink.
For those of you who are unfamiliar the Pennsylvania Dutch (actually Deutch or German) people have a tradition of painting hex signs, commonly found at the peaks of barns in Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. These circular hex signs have much mystery surrounding them. What I have learned is that they are considered "painted prayers," asking God for the blessing of protection for home and farm, good fortune, abundance and prosperity or inviting guests to be welcome.
A distelfink is a stylized goldfinch often used in Pennsylvania Dutch folk art represents happiness and good fortune and are a common theme in hex signs. I have followed the traditions and kept to primary colors on these pieces.
I'll post more pieces as they are finished. As always, I am open to suggestions for new pieces so let those suggestions flow.
