Dove embrace-painting by Bohoy

Our world is not at peace.

But I wish you personal peace for the New Year 2024. 

The earth needs an embrace from the dove which has become the symbol of peace.

Throughout history its meaning also denoted many things: 

• It first appeared many times in the Bible representing innocence and purity
• In Native American folklore it was a protector of warriors
• In Aztec and Mexican tribes, the dove was used in wedding rituals as symbols of love
• In Greek mythology the dove symbolizes Aphrodite the goddess of love; sexuality
• In Japan a dove with a sword represented the end of war
• Today:
• Doves are released at the Olympic Games signifying peace among participants 
• In certain cultures at weddings and funerals doves are released as symbols of hope
• Political and anti-war protestors use it on posters as a message of peace
• The UN uses the dove logo with an olive branch for their "Day of Peace"

Peace be with you.

 

"Movement Arts" paintiing by Bohoy

Feel, Swirl, Jump, Roll, Release. Move your body. And dance!

Watercolor, 10 x 8

Travel Memory-Greece

"Island Siren" © Johanna Bohoy, 2016, Watercolor, 8x10



White Washed & Blue

Deep blue water, pale blue sky, 

sunshine whites, and fuschia brights.

Drink in hand, barefoot, and free.

A siren from the sea is calling me.

"Cat's House" © Johanna Bohoy, 1990, pastel.

Cat’s House

Classical ruins.

Ancient & rare. 

Tourists: “Do not touch!"

~

But the cat will.

It’s his home. 

The column– his couch. 

The sun– his heat.

A privileged king in his castle.

“Light Caught in Greece” ©Johanna Bohoy, 1978, Glyfada, Greece, Watercolor, 13x13

Light caught in Greece

The day is long

The sun slow to leave.

The light is caught

and the shadows wait.

The door– soon to close 

and the flowers to bed.

Goodnight Greece.

~ Johanna Bohoy 

Travel Memory- Alaska

"Alaska Watch" © Johanna Bohoy, 2014, pastel.

Alaska watch–

Out come the cameras and phones. Almost tipping the boat into waves. 

Capturing mountains and glaciers ahead. 

And a humpback? an otter? an Orca? a seal?

Sights to see and send home.

Heading to Surprise Glacier, Alaska

"Surprise Glacier" © Johanna Bohoy, 2014, Watercolor, 20 x 16



Surprise–

It's a glacier.

An ice sculpture framed by the mountains. 

Groaning, cracking, spouting, melting- calving into the sound. 

Baby blue reflected from the sky above.

Chunks of ice swim over to greet us. 

Little ships built by hundreds of years of compressed snow- now set sail.

A wonder of nature before our eyes.

Surprise Glacier, Alaska.

 "Hatcher Passe" © Johanna Bohoy, 2014, pastel.

There's gold in them there hills...

Hatcher Pass, Alaska. 

Through the rolling hills and roiling mist a shrouded vestige of the past appears. 

Peaks of red that sheltered the miners of the Alaska Pacific Mining Company dot the velvety green pass. 

Ghostly mists and fog and clouds hover above, all secretly holding the stories 

of the men seeking their fortunes that came to a halt during WWII. 

Eerily beautiful.

Travel Memory- France- Bohoy

Monet's Garden in Giverney, © Johanna Bohoy, 2007, Watercolor

Rain–

I thought it ruined my day for Monet's Garden in Giverny- 

but surprise it was dotted with people holding umbrellas 

looking like flowers themselves.

"Fleurs de Provence" © Johanna Bohoy, 2009, pastel.

Provence–

Artists come for the light.

As do the flowers.

When they die they still live.

Dried, and fragrant in sacks for sale.

"I'll take a kilo of rosebuds s'il vous plait."

"Paris Bridge" © Johanna Bohoy, 2008, pastel.

April in Paris–

Rain, rain, rain.

Gray every day.

Even at night.

Until the last- when the sun came out

and I learned why they call it 

City of Light.

    "Pink Calla" © Johanna Bohoy, 2007, pastel.

Nice Nice–

At the Nice flower market I bought a huge bouquet 

of pink calla lilies and other fleurs. 

Then; a bottle of wine, cheese, and bread. 

In the hotel room I savor the beauty of the little sculptures 

and the perfume that now scents the room, 

the glass of wine, a piece of bread, and a sliver of cheese. 

C'est la vie!

Oscars Red Carpet 2023- Gloved & Glamorous- by Bohoy

Gloved & Glamourous

Like the turn of the century ladies, when gloves were de rigueur for proper etiquette, and were objects of luxury, elegance and refinement, these stars covered their arms on the runway. But it was not for the reason of etiquette (note the exposed shoulders & decollage)— it was all about the fashion. 

Laverne Cox, Ruth E. Carter, Emily Blunt and Deepika Padukone.

Pastel, 10x8

 

Travel memories- Ireland dawns by J. Bohoy

From a trip to Ireland, too long ago:

It's dawn.

Aqua mist reveals:

the hills; the castle; the velvet greens.

the moss, the mounds; a mirrored lake.

A silent Irish beauty.

1974, Acrylic, 26x26

Artist's collection.

 

 In an Irish cottage:

A rich little place.

Blossoms on walls envelop the room.

With treasures of paintings, furniture, and lace.

Touring the cottage- no one's around.

She looks in the mirror- not to be found.

1974, Acrylic 36 x 39

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Travel memories- Portugal-Bohoy

In yesterday’s Boston Sunday Globe newsaper I was interviewed for their VIP travel section entitled “A VIP reader talks about all things travel.” Read it here: https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?artguid=0e007f99-8051-456f-bcb4-738dc692a7d2

In honor of travel (and that time of year when we think of traveling) I will be featuring my travel paintings– starting with Portugal:

Travel. Tired. Trip into bed.

Trays of bread, butter, sweets and coffee wait outside the door in the early morn. Obrigado

Pastel of Villa Real, Portugal, 2008

Original NFS [email for available print]

In Nazare a Fisherman's widow dressed in all black strolls the beach with the background of the unforgiving azure blue sea.

Pastel, 2008 [email for available available]

Birthday of a New Year 2023-Bohoy

Light the candles for Chanukah.

Light the candles for Christmas.

Light the candles for the birthday of a New Year.

Paint it glorious.

 

Pastel, 2008