Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Norfolk Lavender


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Here is 'Norfolk Lavender', in full and finished.

This turned into quite a personal piece for me; Norfolk lavender was a huge part of my Mums final year, she used it daily to soothe her aching body and smelled just wonderful. All of the aspects of the painting are at the location, I just composed them differently and changed the colours. You cannot see Heacham beach from the location but it is nearby and the last place I took a holiday with my Mum, infact the beach was the very last place we visited together while at Heacham, so I just had to pop it into the background. The palette choice was easy and mostly spoke for itself but blue was also my Mums favourite colour, the addition of red helped to reflect the warmth and love she generated. The fence seemed like the perfect way to express the divide, keeping the lavender just out of reach but still firmly in sight, allowing the viewer to admire it's beauty - unable to hold it, echoing my own feelings and frustrations during this difficult time.
My Mum always complimented my work, a big fan, and I always answered the same way 'I wish my work showed more expression though, said something about me, a story, an atmosphere...' I am pleased to say that I feel this piece does exactly that.

There was no planning involved here, I simply painted!
It now hangs on my bathroom wall.

Art has a magical way of wrenching out of us that which we need to release, oblivious, we watch it unfold and stare back...a mirror of our very soul.

10 comments:

Leslie said...

Wow, Anita. This is stunning. The history behind it really adds to the piece as well. I'm so glad you had that time with your mom, heart-wrenching though it was.

This piece is wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. The color is very calming, but knowing the background, makes it a very powerful piece. As Leslie said, I'm really glad you had that time with you mom.
"Art has a magical way of wrenching out of us that which we need to release, oblivious, we watch it unfold and stare back...a mirror of our very soul."

What a powerful observation! Yes, indeed it does. I need to write this down to remember it. It is so true.

Kaylyn Munro said...

These are beautiful, great brushwork. What would happen if just a little yellow crept in as a counter punch?

Anonymous said...

Oh that is gorgeous. I can almost smell the lavender.

Joan said...

Anita, this is gorgeous!!! I am so glad you incorporated so many things into this that remind you of your mum. I love the harmonious colors...just wonderful!!

Capt Elaine Magliacane said...

Lovely color and the story behind the painting is touching to say the least...Glad you chose to share it with us.

Margaret Ann said...

Your mom's soft yet powerful inner light shines lovingly through you...a soulfilled reflection indeed. Chill bumps here...:)

Serena Lewis said...

Like Margaret, I also felt goosebumps reading your post about the process of this painting so lovingly dedicated to your wonderful Mum. It's beautiful all round, Anita ~

Alissa said...

This is beautiful Anita. It is a painting with lots of atmosphere and then reading your story adds so much more to it

Anita Davies said...

Thank you all so much for your kind words and compliments...They are much appreciated.