a new painting contemplating a pitcher full of roses and the great chaos of feelings about family

When you think of family what do you feel? It’s a big thought and different for everyone on this big ol’ planet.

We all know family can be challenging just like any relationship it requires patience and care.

Maya Angelou wrote “ I sustain myself with the love of family.”

Which is great and true but, not every family is loving. Some families, in fact are dangerous and toxic. Are we to assume we must grow the way our family dictates? I also love what George Burns said on family. “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.”

As I’ve gotten older I realise I was right to rebel against the structures created by my family. I cut myself away from the past in order to create something of my own. In doing this I actually set a new course for my family and with maturity we have all blossomed into something new and stronger than we were before.

This is what led me to paint roses. Like a mature rose bush that has been cut back, we in our family have grown so much stronger and the blooms are so much sweeter for it.

It’s true, I began this painting wanting only to paint red roses. I was simply focused on those luscious red velvety blooms with all of their depth and curves and rich beauty. That is really what I was thinking when I began painting. With any painting you contemplate your subject and you contemplate its purpose. I started to think about my family – where would I put these roses, these family roses? well, they are in what looks like an attic window. There is always darkness in our heads and it’s beautiful when family is what brings the light in. There they sit bringing light to a dark room. I used luminescent blue paint in spirals of light. (I really love this line of luminous paint by Golden)

Roses are sitting on a handmade quilt in a shiny white vase. This particular vase is made by Lenox China in the French pearle collection. I have one that I keep on my studio table for water and my daughter has the same pitcher which she uses for flowers. That was the connection. This led me to think about family – that’s how this painting became a metaphor for family. The blooms that come after something very old being cut back. Now, those sassy pink feathers… hahaha well, we have women in this family that do all the work to keep us all together. We dress well and we keep a beautiful home and we support the future of our family. Those flashy feathers are there for us, for me and for her and her and her. Strong beautiful women who keep this world turning and keep it fancy.

I did paint in a little spider. I do have a reason. Google Spider Totem and here is what you’ll find.

“The spider is a remarkable figure of feminine energy and creativity in the spirit animalkingdom. Spiders are characterized by the skilled weaving of intricate webs and patience in awaiting their prey. By affinity with the spider spirit animal, you may have qualities of high receptivity and creativity. Having the spider as a power animal or totem helps you tune into life’s ebbs and flows and ingeniously weave every step of your destiny.”

I hope you enjoyed my studio painting. I hope your roses bloom and they bring you joy.

peace,

daisy