On Gifts and Flowers...
It's "Flowers" at Theme Thursday this week, and page fourteen is filled with the beauty of the impermanence of flowers, as well as my thoughts on gifts, in general.
I love contrast: Contrast in light, contrast in color, contrast in theme, contrast in material, contrast in texture, contrast in general! My use of contrast is so instinctual that I often scan (with my eyes) my own artwork after I have finished something and look for the contrasting elements that I did not place consciously.
Aside from what I "meant to do", I found the contrasting autumn colored background with the images of spring in the foreground. It made me think: Are these colors really exclusive to fall? The top left is the glowing sun of summer, and the mossy greens of spring are in the lower right. Are there really colors that are indigenous to seasons? Or do we just make connections and assumptions about color, as in "pink for girls and blue for boys"?
I knew I needed to add the antique doll, but it wasn't until the piece was complete that I noticed the significance of her aging body in illustrating how time is precious. And I did not consciously contrast her with the new growth and buds of spring.
If we can learn about an artist's psyche by studying works in art history, then how much more can we learn about ourselves by studying our own artwork?
Right now I am:
Listening to the March wind outside my window
Breathing in the scent of freshly picked Rosemary
Getting ready to bake a turkey
Anxious to get it in the oven so I can paint while it cooks
Glad for the "quiet" in my home today
Before I go, I'd like to share something with you. It's a powerpoint presentation featuring Sam, the Koala that was rescued from the fires in Australia. If you're interested, click Download Sam's_Story to view it. I have never inserted a file in a blog post, so I'm hoping this works, and you'll need to have powerpoint, or a powerpoint viewer to see it, I think.
Have a great day, Everyone!
gorgeous collage!
Posted by: Kelly B | March 12, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Another wonderful page, Barbara!
Posted by: Willy | March 12, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Wow wow wow wow wow wow this is really romantic. Gorgeous design. Love all the wonderful flowers.
Posted by: Sandy | March 12, 2009 at 10:32 PM
wow ,so colorful,stunning
Posted by: Lynn Stevens | March 12, 2009 at 11:10 PM
It's gorgeous!
Posted by: Janny | March 13, 2009 at 04:51 AM
Wonderful Barbara, I Love flowers too and I Love this piece!
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | March 13, 2009 at 06:25 AM
What I think makes this exactly perfect ARE the contrasts: especially the autumn background with the verdant pinks and greens. You have such a gift!
Posted by: Alberta | March 13, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Please stop by my blog to pick up the token of appreciation I have for you there.
XOXO,
Alberta
Posted by: Alberta | March 13, 2009 at 06:08 PM
I'm always struck by the power of your pages Barbara... so full of life. And this is no exception... =)
We found a new place to live - will email you!! xoxoxo
Posted by: Rosie | March 14, 2009 at 11:31 AM
beautiful!! i love how you've layered the flowers to create such depth! wonderful!!
Posted by: jean | March 25, 2009 at 08:03 AM
So colorful and artistic your alsters are!
Posted by: Loreal Blondi | March 27, 2009 at 12:12 PM