From the 'Corolla' series

A rhapsody of dance and color.

by Harkrader

Collection AECOM

Rome Us near Romulus

Harkrader and Bride 2007

Rome, Italy

Trevi Fountain by Nicola Salvi 1762

Picasso and Harkrader in Paris

Harkrader and Picasso in Paris 2004

photo courtesy Ellen Harkrader

"Dog Sings Acapella"

"DOG SINGS ACAPELLA"

by Harkrader

Available

12" x 16"

Mixed Medium on Corragated Board

"Vase"

"Vase"

48" x 36"

SOLD

“VASE”

by Harkrader

I painted a vase as primary in a composition due to the remarkable meaning that a vase conveys, A vase is a vessel that typically holds cut flowers hence its place in my ‘Corolla’ series.

My heavily textured vase is red, symbolic of strength and power as well as passion and desire. The vase’s universal feminine shape is graceful and may hold the fertilizing power of water or other life giving liquid. Feel her heavily textured veneer that is resistant to damage or adverse effects—but is fragile too.

This vase is native earth—a female deity. A vase is a maternal wellspring and for that reason controls eternal life. The vase is sexual and nurturing, with a womb-like function that stores, transports, serves and quenches thirst. Her shape is calyx—a cup-like cavity that supports the flowering buds in her garden environment. A vessel of spiritual abundance, worthy of providing gifts to gods and represents peace and safety for that which lives within.

Sand and pumice was mixed into red cadmium to create my vase’s skin and she sits atop the canvas face surrounded by broad golden earth colors and their tertiary compliment—purple. Aqua lives peacefully next to its compliment—red orange. Embedded glass allows us a new version of seeing because below the glass surface lives another layer which represents a new perspective of hope in our afterlife. A collage with vintage music represents another form of communication when words fail.

Painted while Harkrader was working at his Roanoke City downtown location on Church Avenue—not too long after he moved from Studios Off the Square Studios on Campbell Avenue. Harkrader shared a store front on Church Ave. with Atturro Zanella, master framer, who presently resides in Los Angeles.

‘Vase’ is from Harkrader’s Corolla Series, most of which are abstract floral compositions that were sold by Pamela Jean Gallery in Roanoke, Red Sky Gallery in Charlotte, Little Gallery at West Lake Town Center and from Harkrader’s studio on Church Avenue and later his studio on Albemarle Avenue.