Interactions

On a sunny summer afternoon I observed a couple by the ocean discussing something for a long time. After a while, he was unresponsive to her talking and continued looking at the waves. Finally, she lowered her head in defeat and remained silent. I imagined a break up between them and I could feel the sadness of that moment in contradiction with the beauty of the place and the waves breaking up, breaking up all the time. 

Copyright © 2014 Nancy Barra, "Ocean Break up", pastel on La Carte paper, 12" x 15.7",from:Nancy Barra Contemporary Art/Arte Contemporáneo

The view in front of them was amazing and they remained silent, absorbing it all. The unique pyramid shape of the mountains in the Elqui Valley, north of Chile, takes many variations of colors as the sunset takes place. In the middle of the narrow valley surrounded by these tall mountains, grape vines are nested and nourished by the daily sun, river water and rich soil. The story goes that the kundalini energy of the planet moved from Tibet to this valley (which shares the same latitude as Lhasa), where it finally decided to rest. Be this true or not, the high content of quartz in these pyramidal mountains, which protects this magical valley, keeps you elated and energized and you can feel the grandiose presence of Mother Earth in every inch of your being. 

Copyright © 2014 Nancy Barra, "The Elqui Pyramids", oil on canvas, 29" x 22", from:Nancy Barra Contemporary Art/Arte Contemporáneo