For nearly 20 years, Nathan Oliveira had hoped to see his dramatic Windhover paintings housed in a contemplative space on his Stanford campus. A meditative set of paintings, the Windhover series was worked on by Nathan almost up until his passing in 2010. The oversize paintings were inspired by Nathan’s love of birds in flight. In particular, his fascination of kestrels and red tailed hawks which soared about his campus studio.In a 2002 interview in Stanford magazine, (http://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=37743 ) Oliveira said, “I’ve always thought if I had wings, I could fly. Well, I do have wings in my mind . . . and these paintings are like a catalyst that can take you wherever you want your mind to fly.”

Fortunate to view his single Windhover piece in his studio, I was transfixed listening to him describe his vision of the work. Sharing technique – how brushwork or a single scrape of paint creates depth, texture and contrast. The flowing curves, the arcs, define the broad canvas and suggest the configuration of the earth, the sky and the universe. The earthy diptych is monumental in scale.

Windhover space was designed and built like a small chapel and consists of five paintings. Big Red, a continual favorite work in progress, he would frequently ask his son Joe to bring it out of storage for one more dab or brush over. Teasing Joe, Nathan added a slash of yellow and proclaimed it was now finished. Four other abstract Windhover paintings grace the center.Every detail of the space had been discussed with Nate, including the rammed earth walls, subtle textures harmonize with the art work. Filtered natural light illuminates the paintings in this calm quiet place.

Beautifully landscaped gardens surround the rammed earth building, featuring a labyrinth and reflecting pools dotted with large marble figures, salvaged remnants of earthquake damaged campus structures.Unfortunately, Windhover is primarily available to Stanford students and faculty; however, the general public is allowed on Tuesdays; docent-led tours begin at 10:00 am. No reservations are required, but attendance is capped at 15 visitors per tour.

https://windhover.stanford.edu/ The website contains a lovely interview with Nathan.

Invigorate your spirit, feel the ever present Nathan Oliveira with Windhover.

The Windhover

I caught this morning morning’s minion, king-

dom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding

Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding

High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing

In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,

As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding

Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding

Stirred for a bird, – the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!

– Excerpt from The Windhover by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Windhover is located in the heart of campus at 370 Santa Teresa Street, near the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden and Roble Hall.