“Light settles where patience is given.” — Anonymous
“Where Light Gathers” is an original oil painting on panel that brings together glass, silk, and color in a slow, luminous conversation. At the center is a collection of crystal and gilded glassware, each piece shaped by the shifting glow that moves across its surface. Behind and beneath them flows a Tibetan altar cloth, its woven patterns rising and folding in intricate layers of blue, gold, red, and green.
This cloth is more than a backdrop. In Tibetan tradition, such altar coverings are used during ritual offerings, meditations, and sacred observances. They carry motifs that symbolize clarity, compassion, and the interconnectedness of all things. Their luminous colors represent the qualities of enlightened mind. In this painting, the cloth holds the scene with a quiet sense of ceremony, creating a space where everyday objects take on a deeper presence.
The painting is concerned with illumination. With how golden light gathers in the carved glass. With how the etched patterns soften the reflections. With how the folds of silk create a rhythmic movement of color, guiding the eye through both shadow and brilliance. Each surface responds differently, inviting the viewer to linger on the transitions that happen when reflective objects meet a richly patterned textile.
Here, stillness becomes a form of devotion. The glassware glows from within, catching the warmth of the cloth. The cloth carries centuries of meaning, transforming the arrangement into something both intimate and expansive. Together they create a moment of contemplative radiance, shaped by the meeting of craft, tradition, and light.
Measuring 18 x 24 inches (45 x 60 cm), the painting is presented in a refined, minimal floating frame that allows the depth of color and complexity of pattern to speak clearly.
"Where Light Gathers"
An Original Still Life Painting
The Inspiration
“Where Light Gathers” began with the desire to explore how light moves through layers of meaning as well as layers of material. The glass objects at the center were chosen for the way they catch, fracture, and hold illumination. But the true catalyst for the painting was the Tibetan altar cloth, a woven field of color and symbolism that carries a quiet gravity all its own.
Such cloths are traditionally placed beneath sacred objects during ceremonies, meditations, and daily offerings. Their colors and motifs are not decorative alone. Gold often symbolizes awakened insight. Blue speaks to vastness and clarity. Red carries the warmth of compassion. Green suggests balance and vitality. These meanings were not used here as literal symbols, but as silent companions to the act of looking.
As the cloth was arranged, its folds created a landscape of color that rose and fell like hills in shifting light. The glassware, placed within this terrain, became vessels for reflection and quiet distortion. Their surfaces held fragments of the cloth’s patterns, softening them into drifting shapes that seemed to glow from within. What began as a simple study in reflection turned into a dialogue between objects made for everyday use and a textile steeped in spiritual intent.
This painting follows that dialogue. The altar cloth grounds the scene, offering a sense of ceremony without overt narrative. The glass allows light to move freely, slipping through clear passages and settling into warm highlights. Together, they create a moment where color, tradition, and reflection converge.
“Where Light Gathers” is shaped by this interplay. It invites the viewer to feel the meeting of the ordinary and the sacred, and to witness how light weaves through both with the same steady grace.
The Finest Materials
“Where Light Gathers” has been created with the same commitment to craftsmanship, longevity, and material depth that guides all of my still life work. The painting brings together traditional techniques with materials chosen for their stability, richness, and capacity to carry intricate detail.
The piece is executed on a prepared wood panel, selected for its archival strength and its ability to support both expansive passages of drapery and the precise reflections held within the glass. The surface is primed by hand using time honored methods, creating a smooth, resilient foundation that allows the woven patterns of the altar cloth and the fine highlights of the crystal to emerge with clarity.
Only the finest quality oil paints were used in the making of this work. The broad fields of blue, red, gold, and green in the Tibetan altar cloth are built from a palette of mineral pigments chosen for their vibrancy and permanence. The gilded accents in the glass are rendered with warm earth colors and transparent tones that echo the richness of the cloth without overwhelming it. The clear passages of glass are shaped through subtle mixtures of cool grays, soft blues, and restrained neutrals, ensuring that each reflection remains luminous and true.
The altar cloth itself is depicted with special attention to its significance. Its motifs, traditionally woven from silk threads and often used in ritual settings, required pigments capable of capturing layered brilliance without sacrificing subtle transitions. Each fold and change of color was built slowly through thin applications of paint, honoring the complexity of the textile.
Though intricate in composition, the painting is crafted with deliberate precision. From the glow held within the decanter to the shifting reflections along the gilded glassware, every detail is shaped for both beauty and endurance. This is a work made to last, reflecting not only the objects depicted but the long tradition of fine materials and careful craft behind them.
Painstaking Process
“Where Light Gathers” was created through a traditional, layered painting process that allows light, color, and form to evolve slowly over many stages. The arrangement itself was composed with great care. The Tibetan altar cloth was draped and shaped under controlled lighting, allowing its folds to rise and fall in a way that revealed both its symbolic richness and its physical beauty. The glass objects were placed within this landscape so that their reflections could converse with the cloth rather than simply mirror it.
The work began with a series of preparatory sketches to study the balance of pattern, transparency, and light. These early drawings helped refine how the cloth would flow around the glassware and how the reflections would move through the composition. A painted color study followed, clarifying the harmony between the vivid colors of the silk and the subtle cool tones found within the glass.
Once the overall structure was set, the composition was lightly transferred to a hand primed panel using soft charcoal. Only the essential shapes were indicated at this stage. The intricate motifs of the cloth and the delicate highlights of the glass were left to emerge slowly through the act of painting.
A monochromatic underpainting formed the next step, establishing the architecture of light and shadow. This foundational layer ensured that the complex arrangement would remain coherent even as color was gradually introduced. The underpainting created a clear map of value relationships, allowing the later layers to remain luminous and balanced.
With the foundation complete, the painting developed through many thin layers of transparent color applied in a glazing process. This method allows light to pass through the paint film, creating depth and optical mixtures that cannot be achieved with opaque strokes alone. The shimmering folds of the altar cloth, the warm highlights caught in the gilded glassware, and the soft distortions within the decanter all rely on these carefully built layers.
The painting emerged over many days of close observation and deliberate work. Each layer added clarity to the reflections, richness to the cloth, and structure to the interplay of light. The final result is a piece shaped by patience, precision, and a sustained commitment to seeing deeply into both material and meaning.
"Where Light Gathers"
Ready for your collection today
“Where Light Gathers” measures 18 × 24 inches (45 × 60 cm) and is painted with oil on prepared panel, following time-tested traditional methods.
It is set in a silver edged floating frame, with outer dimensions of 20 × 26 inches (50 × 65 cm), and is ready to hang on your wall.
A floating frame enhances artwork by creating the illusion that the painting is suspended within the frame, with a small gap between the panel and the inner edges. This design allows the full surface of the painting to remain visible while adding depth and dimension.
Scroll down to explore more details about this painting and see additional images.
Shipping
“Where Light Gathers” will ship via USPS Registered Mail with secure packaging and full insurance at no extra charge. Upon shipping, you will receive a tracking number and an estimated delivery date, allowing you to monitor the package’s location and progress. It will ship within two business days of purchase.
Every piece is carefully packed and fully insured for safe delivery. Should any issue arise in transit, I will work with you to resolve it promptly.
Guarantee
Your satisfaction is my highest priority. If for any reason you are not completely delighted with your painting, you may return it within 14 days for a full refund or exchange. The artwork must be returned in its original condition and packaging.
Invest with confidence—this painting is designed to bring lasting beauty and enjoyment to your collection.
Your satisfaction is completely guaranteed.
Purchasing This Painting
This painting is framed as shown and is ready for immediate hanging.
Payment may be made with major credit cards and PayPal.
Shipping within the United States is free. An additional charge will be added for shipments outside of the United States.
It will ship from my studio within 2 business days of purchase.
It will be carefully packaged for maximum protection during transit, and insured for the full purchase price. A signature will be required on delivery, so the package will not be left unattended.
You will be provided with a tracking number and estimated delivery date (due to the unpredictability of the customs process, an estimated delivery date cannot be provided for shipments outside of the United States).
Your satisfaction is completely guaranteed. Paintings may be returned for the full purchase price within 14 days of receipt.
About These Paintings
These paintings grow out of two sources: On the one hand, a deep love for the great still life tradition of the Dutch Golden Age, and on the other, a life-long interest in meditation.
For both viewer and artist, still life is the perfect opportunity to have that experience which all meditation seems to aim at: complete and total absorption in the present moment. Not the past. Not the future. Just what is in front of you. Right here. Right now.
That moment of quiet, intense connection – that sense of one-ness – is all the inspiration I need… and these paintings emerge from that source.
As such, this isn’t really a personal art. It’s not about me or my views or my ideas.
My role is to step aside, and let these silent moments speak through me.
And there isn’t anything more personal.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this painting, whether it’s about its details, the inspiration behind it, or how it would fit into your space, I’d be happy to answer them.
If you’d like more information about the purchasing process, framing options, or secure shipping arrangements, feel free to reach out.
I take great care in ensuring that each painting is safely packaged and delivered, and I’m happy to discuss any special requests you may have.
Simply use the form below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Where Light Gathers
$5,000.00
Sold
Description
"Where Light Gathers" An Original Still Life Painting
The Inspiration
“Where Light Gathers” began with the desire to explore how light moves through layers of meaning as well as layers of material. The glass objects at the center were chosen for the way they catch, fracture, and hold illumination. But the true catalyst for the painting was the Tibetan altar cloth, a woven field of color and symbolism that carries a quiet gravity all its own.
As the cloth was arranged, its folds created a landscape of color that rose and fell like hills in shifting light. The glassware, placed within this terrain, became vessels for reflection and quiet distortion. Their surfaces held fragments of the cloth’s patterns, softening them into drifting shapes that seemed to glow from within. What began as a simple study in reflection turned into a dialogue between objects made for everyday use and a textile steeped in spiritual intent.
This painting follows that dialogue. The altar cloth grounds the scene, offering a sense of ceremony without overt narrative. The glass allows light to move freely, slipping through clear passages and settling into warm highlights. Together, they create a moment where color, tradition, and reflection converge.
“Where Light Gathers” is shaped by this interplay. It invites the viewer to feel the meeting of the ordinary and the sacred, and to witness how light weaves through both with the same steady grace.
The Finest Materials
“Where Light Gathers” has been created with the same commitment to craftsmanship, longevity, and material depth that guides all of my still life work. The painting brings together traditional techniques with materials chosen for their stability, richness, and capacity to carry intricate detail.
Only the finest quality oil paints were used in the making of this work. The broad fields of blue, red, gold, and green in the Tibetan altar cloth are built from a palette of mineral pigments chosen for their vibrancy and permanence. The gilded accents in the glass are rendered with warm earth colors and transparent tones that echo the richness of the cloth without overwhelming it. The clear passages of glass are shaped through subtle mixtures of cool grays, soft blues, and restrained neutrals, ensuring that each reflection remains luminous and true.
The altar cloth itself is depicted with special attention to its significance. Its motifs, traditionally woven from silk threads and often used in ritual settings, required pigments capable of capturing layered brilliance without sacrificing subtle transitions. Each fold and change of color was built slowly through thin applications of paint, honoring the complexity of the textile.
Though intricate in composition, the painting is crafted with deliberate precision. From the glow held within the decanter to the shifting reflections along the gilded glassware, every detail is shaped for both beauty and endurance. This is a work made to last, reflecting not only the objects depicted but the long tradition of fine materials and careful craft behind them.
Painstaking Process
“Where Light Gathers” was created through a traditional, layered painting process that allows light, color, and form to evolve slowly over many stages. The arrangement itself was composed with great care. The Tibetan altar cloth was draped and shaped under controlled lighting, allowing its folds to rise and fall in a way that revealed both its symbolic richness and its physical beauty. The glass objects were placed within this landscape so that their reflections could converse with the cloth rather than simply mirror it.
Once the overall structure was set, the composition was lightly transferred to a hand primed panel using soft charcoal. Only the essential shapes were indicated at this stage. The intricate motifs of the cloth and the delicate highlights of the glass were left to emerge slowly through the act of painting.
A monochromatic underpainting formed the next step, establishing the architecture of light and shadow. This foundational layer ensured that the complex arrangement would remain coherent even as color was gradually introduced. The underpainting created a clear map of value relationships, allowing the later layers to remain luminous and balanced.
With the foundation complete, the painting developed through many thin layers of transparent color applied in a glazing process. This method allows light to pass through the paint film, creating depth and optical mixtures that cannot be achieved with opaque strokes alone. The shimmering folds of the altar cloth, the warm highlights caught in the gilded glassware, and the soft distortions within the decanter all rely on these carefully built layers.
The painting emerged over many days of close observation and deliberate work. Each layer added clarity to the reflections, richness to the cloth, and structure to the interplay of light. The final result is a piece shaped by patience, precision, and a sustained commitment to seeing deeply into both material and meaning.
"Where Light Gathers" Ready for your collection today
“Where Light Gathers” measures 18 × 24 inches (45 × 60 cm) and is painted with oil on prepared panel, following time-tested traditional methods.
It is set in a silver edged floating frame, with outer dimensions of 20 × 26 inches (50 × 65 cm), and is ready to hang on your wall.
A floating frame enhances artwork by creating the illusion that the painting is suspended within the frame, with a small gap between the panel and the inner edges. This design allows the full surface of the painting to remain visible while adding depth and dimension.
Scroll down to explore more details about this painting and see additional images.
Shipping
“Where Light Gathers” will ship via USPS Registered Mail with secure packaging and full insurance at no extra charge. Upon shipping, you will receive a tracking number and an estimated delivery date, allowing you to monitor the package’s location and progress. It will ship within two business days of purchase.
Every piece is carefully packed and fully insured for safe delivery. Should any issue arise in transit, I will work with you to resolve it promptly.
Guarantee
Your satisfaction is my highest priority. If for any reason you are not completely delighted with your painting, you may return it within 14 days for a full refund or exchange. The artwork must be returned in its original condition and packaging.
Invest with confidence—this painting is designed to bring lasting beauty and enjoyment to your collection.
Your satisfaction is completely guaranteed.
Purchasing This Painting
About These Paintings
These paintings grow out of two sources: On the one hand, a deep love for the great still life tradition of the Dutch Golden Age, and on the other, a life-long interest in meditation.
For both viewer and artist, still life is the perfect opportunity to have that experience which all meditation seems to aim at: complete and total absorption in the present moment. Not the past. Not the future. Just what is in front of you. Right here. Right now.
That moment of quiet, intense connection – that sense of one-ness – is all the inspiration I need… and these paintings emerge from that source.
As such, this isn’t really a personal art. It’s not about me or my views or my ideas.
My role is to step aside, and let these silent moments speak through me.
And there isn’t anything more personal.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this painting, whether it’s about its details, the inspiration behind it, or how it would fit into your space, I’d be happy to answer them.
If you’d like more information about the purchasing process, framing options, or secure shipping arrangements, feel free to reach out.
I take great care in ensuring that each painting is safely packaged and delivered, and I’m happy to discuss any special requests you may have.
Simply use the form below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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