The floral fantasies series is a new form of practice - work quick and loose with brightly colored paint. I am being deliberate with my drawing and compositional planning then, free, watery and unrestricted in my painting. Sometimes, I find myself so attached to the outcome being perfect that I lose the joy of the painting process. This is my antidote to that. Something about painting this way that captures the feeling and the joy of applying paint to paper.
These flowers grow on the path to Hollywood Beach, where daily they are exposed to extremes of heat, salt, wind and poor soil. They speak to me of persistence and self expression beauty despite current circumstances. A good reminder for me to bloom despite this long Covid isolation.
In the quiet moonlight l contemplate this year of 2020. Where we started, where we arrived and where we may go. The turning of the seasons, the birth/death cycles of nature continue undaunted by massive health, financial, and social upheavals around the planet. Once again we pass through the dark, cold night of hibernation, dream time and incubation. Our fire turns down to embers glowing in the dark. pulsating, waiting, asking for faith. While we cannot alter the past or nature’s seasons we can change our mind, our intentions and visions for the future. Let us acknowledge the peace and possibility of this longest night of the year by creating a moonlit painting which enlivens our faith in the restorative power of darkness and mystery.
