Rex Begonias sport some of nature's most beautiful foliage. Their leaves, like fancy court skirts are quilted, blistered, crimped, and ruffled. Their fiber optic-like stems can light the interior spaces with an appropriately sultry and spicy glow.
At first I felt that this subject was a bit ambitious for me, especially since I just spent a week working on an utterly lackluster piece that I buried with the other junk. But, this is where I want to go, sharing the intimate spaces of nature that have always seemed to be my secret treasures. I figured I had better start reaching for the hard stuff. With each of the many times I was ready to throw it away, something would go right and I would keep working. I was surprised at the end by the contribution of the final lower left leaf. Its strong design really suggested the 'courtliness' of this scene in a way entirely absent from the photo reference. I was finally able to describe the sense of whimsy that accompanied my admiration of these leaves and their interior spaces.
(I don't yet understand it, even years after this was painted. Whenever someone (so far that means 'anyone') see this painting for the first time, they have an instinctual and physical revulsion to it, as though they have been punched in the gut. I've seen a lot of ho-hum paintings in my life and none made me groan out loud. Very curious indeed.)
This is a lovely painting! Very nicely done.
ReplyDeleteYour work is beautiful. When you take your love of life working with nature and combine it with your gift of art, it shows with a unique spiritual depth in each piece. Love your work.
ReplyDeleteThank you both. I appreciate your taking the time to comment!
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking out my blog, Carol Anne. For a beginner you are off to a great start. And you have a wonderful blog.
ReplyDeleteGod bless and Happy New Year.
Isn't Wallis paper great--you can make it whatever size you want--I like this format. Beautiful rendering
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