"Faith" 36 x 40 inches
“When I push paint around a canvas I feel as though I am traveling along an ancient overgrown road with twisty turns through a thick dark forest. Every moment holds discovery of something live and fresh that feeds my terrible curiosity. Art is a countless progression of little decisions, and each decision is a fork in the road. So many choices! Most lead to bland familiar vistas or to disaster. But some choices run through the Garden of Creation, in which humans can emulate and flatter the Creator by bringing something sparkling new into being, where there was simply nothing before. At the end of the road there lies a painting, and if it is a good one, it says, ‘Lo! Here is where a mortal soared!’”
"Wonder, the Heart of the Alchemist" 30 x 40 inches
Prosser feels that the interpretation of our world is what makes us all unique, and expressing this interpretation as art is important. Art validates our identity and authenticates our views as a valuable commodity; it reveals a purpose. “Everyone should do art, whether its dance, poetry, music, painting… the act of creating somehow gives meaning to our existence. We celebrate our lives with art.”
"The Meadow" 11 x 14 inches
From enchanting flower-filled meadows in twilight landscapes to tangled fleshy dreams in extraordinary surreal worlds, Prosser’s paintings always have a captivating motif. “I like to have a general idea when I start a painting, but many times, especially with the Surrealism, I just can’t envision the end product before it’s finished. The process of discovery is probably why painting is so fulfilling to me.”
"Captivation" 30 x 40 inches
Prosser is not the first artist to describe the importance of discovery in their art, and many have spoken of self-discovery, or spiritual growth through painting. “I set up and mix my paint, start painting. At some point, as I feel the paint coming off the brush, I become a witness. I am not consciously directing my hand. It’s an intoxicated feeling, like Zen, or an altered state. Afterwards I don’t seem to remember much of the process, but some deep need was satisfied in my soul. So far all the paintings where this happens have turned out fine.” To achieve a unique portrait Prosser starts with an informal meeting with the subject, then moves to shoot photos. “People always have ideas of color and how they would like to be seen in a painting, of course. I try to expand on this and show some of their inner life, and I really need to trust my gut instincts to do this. These feelings are subtle, and easy to miss, so it is important to keep from judging. I just have to allow.” Conversation with the portrait subject usually produces good impressions and images that have personal symbolic meaning.
"A Fey Mood" 30 x 40 inches
Studies and paintings incorporating archetypes and symbolism helped Prosser build a good foundation for this work. According to C.J. Jung, our subconscious minds have common ideas and thoughts we inherit from the human race. Some of these concepts as symbols are common to everyone, but some are idiosyncratic, or bear meaning only to an individual. “I like to bring a lot of images into a portrait that I think have to do with a person’s hopes, dreams, goals, sometimes fears… how they are wired, or what sets them apart from others.”
"The Gift of Music" 16 x 20 inches
Prosser was always sketching as a youngster, and later began painting in oils, using old tubes of paint his father had. After learning as much as he could on his own, he sought other artists’ advice. “The best place to meet artists is at park or outdoor shows. If you show appreciation for their work, artists are usually more than happy to explain how they work at their craft. There is a need to share, I think, since art is sharing.”
"Destiny" 30 x 40 inches
In the painting “Destiny,” Cleopatra steps away from her twilight bath to watch a flock of swans fly by in a wistful depiction of ancient Egypt. The dusk light reveals the ancient pyramids in the distance, as well as the transient beauty of swans in flight. Cleopatra seems to be musing over her place in her realm, and considering her destiny. Symbolism plays an important role in all of Prosser’s work. The swans represent Eros, a very sensual erotic love, which by many accounts was an active part of Cleopatra’s psyche. There are a few red roses strewn across the steps, indicating past love affairs. A robust stone column hints at the presence of a monumental building, built high to afford a view of an empire. On the dangerous edge of this immense building, stands Cleopatra, gazing towards the setting sun. Cleopatra was the last descendant of Ptolemy, a general of Alexander the Great, and with her passing the Greek rule in Egypt ended. So her precarious position in the painting is an apt portrayal of Cleopatra’s life.
"The Party" 30 x 40 inches
A refreshingly different view of the afterlife is the theme of “The Party.” People enter into a universe filled with dance and delight, and not much gravity. “Wouldn’t it be so cool for all those people carrying heavy loads here on earth to end up in a place like this? Well, maybe this is just where artists go,” laughs Prosser. Prosser’s work is represented by Meg Goodwin at The Ojai House, 304 N. Montgomery Road, Ojai, California.www.williamprosser.com