Description
There must be something about this time of year. Coming out of winter, having just painted something that had more muted colors, just as last year, I crave bright, intense, warm colors. Last year I painted “Awakening,” Joseph’s Coat roses growing in my mother-in-law’s garden in Corte Madera. This year I’ve painted Joseph’s Coat roses growing in my mom’s garden in Woodacre. Nice symmetry. Though they are the same variety of rose, the two paintings have quite a different feel to me. The two roses in “Awakening” are both in full sun, opening to the light. The main rose in this one is lit from behind, with the surrounding roses getting most of the light. Yet, they don’t keep the light from making its way through. There is a quiet receptivity to this image that gives me peace and is a reminder of that part of me that can be a bit more private and still be radiant. And I was drawn to other aspects of this image – the cobalt blue-violet in the upper right and the deep green leaves. Though there are differences, it does make a nice companion to “Awakening.” My two moms and the love of roses I share with them.
March 2012
