Artist Gina Jrel

	The Wind Beneath My Wings © Artist Gina Jrel, 2007 Medium: Oil, acrylic, glass beads, czech glass, acrylic beads and jewels, and swarovski crystal on gallery-wrapped canvas Dimensions: 48"w x 28" h Edge Treatment: The edges of this painting have selected lyrics from the song "The Wind Beneath My Wings" on it, in a raised, 3-D metallic gold, cursive script. Framing: N/A - Gallery-wrapped edges are hand-painted. Original available for purchase: Yes Price: $3,800 Available in Giclee: Yes Based on the One-Liner: "It might have appeared to go unnoticed... But I've got you right here in my heart..." From the Song: The Wind Beneath My Wings Performed By: Bette Midler From the CD: Soundtrack for the movie "Beaches" About the Painting: Long overdue, this is a painting that I have wanted to create for years. The One-Liners show proved to be the perfect time and place for it to be created, introduced, and shared. "The Wind Beneath My Wings" is my visual thank you, my humble acknowledgment, my warmest gift, and my personal promise. Although an artist's journey may seem to be a solitude one, it is anything but that. I directly, and humbly, attribute any and all successes I have enjoyed with my art career to the many friends, friends, clients, business associates, and teachers who have generously purchased my art (big and small), lent a helping hand, opened doors, extended opportunities, or opened their hearts with kind friendship. This painting, sketch conceived 2 years ago, is my expression of my deepest heart felt thanks to each and every one of those many people. To all of you, please know: Your influence on my life will never go unnoticed. Nothing I have accomplished would be possible without you. I will always remember and be grateful. I will always have you stamped in my heart. This amazing song has so many lines that say all of the things I want to express, and with such perfection, I'd like to recount them here: ------ "You were content to let me shine.... You always walked a step behind...." "I was the one with all the glory... While you were the one with all the strength..." "It might have appeared to go unnoticed But I've got it all here in my heart... I want you to know I know the truth ... of course I know it... I would be nothing without you..." "Did you ever know that you're my hero? You're everything, everything I would wish I could be... I can fly higher than an eagle.... When you are the wind beneath my wings..." "Thank You, Thank You... Thank God for you, the Wind Beneath My Wings." ---- Most all of my paintings are created sans any thoughts of what I will do with the painting when it is done. That is, void of considerations about whether the piece will sell, thoughts about commercial reproduction, marketing aspects etc. Matter of fact, I go to great lengths to separate the creative process from the business end of art, so as not to pollute the actual creative process. However, this painting was an exception to that rule. I created this piece specifically to express my thanks. It is my visual voice... created to acknowledge the assistance, support and influence of the people in my life. It was created for the express purpose of making a small print of this visual thanks to give as a gift to the many people who have had influence on my life and career. So, backasswards, this painting was created with the outcome / after intentions known and acknowledged right up front. As a matter of fact, the very idea of distributing prints of this piece to my many friends, business associates and loved ones fostered the amazing mood and feelings that went into the creation of the painting. One big circle, and it is a classic case of the old design rule: form follows function. "The Wind Beneath My Wings" is one of the most personal pieces I have created in my 30 years of painting. I treasure it - and all it means - fiercely, and hold it dear to my heart. But unlike other extremely personal paintings that I save for my own private collection, this one was never meant to be tucked away. It was created FOR others. It is meant to be anywhere but in my private collection. The original painting sold even before opening night for the One-Liners Show, but the painting is being shot for limited edition giclee as I write this text. I want the highest quality of print to be able to share with those I created this piece for...now and in the future. Furthermore, I want others to be able to express their thanks to someone special by way of this image. It is an unusual choice for me, but I will be making "The Wind Beneath My Wings" available on greeting cards, a strictly feeling-mandated decision. The emotion and concept behind this piece -- one of gratitude and sincere thanks - is a universal feeling and message that is meant to be shared. Okay...enough sappy stuff. I need to go get busy assembling all of these "Wind Beneath My Wings" prints and get them out to all the wonderful people who have touched my life...and for whom this piece was created for.