I love this sculpture. I’ve done this one in pen and watercolor (2008) and soft pastel (2011), so I guess it was time for another approach! This time digital—drawing and painting with Procreate on an Ipad. Below is the photo I used to trace over with the drawing, then hid the layer to add all the color. After using traditional media my whole life, it’s fun to challenge myself to do something new!
A box of peaches and limes from my mom. Read more here.
Today marks 1 year of the pandemic. Covid-19 has brought incalculable losses around the world.
This painting is titled “Absence.”
The flower meaning for zinnias is “thoughts of absent friends” or “I mourn your absence.” And verbena’s meaning is “pray for me.” The red background is for one meaning of the dark crimson rose — sadness, mourning, and death.
Lives lost and people separated from loved ones have created voids that can’t be filled. But, just like these bright flowers, I pray for bright spots of hope to make their way into the absence.
Prints will be available soon on my Etsy shop.
Side note: For March 11 — 3 zinnias for the 3rd month, and 11 verbena flowers for the 11th day.
Research and sketching pictured below with more info here. Idea started with this post from December 14, 2020.
I won’t be meeting my goal to have my March 11 (1 year of pandemic) painting done. In the meantime, here’s one for grief—the flower meaning for aloe vera. The purple is for hyacinth—sorrow. Sending my love to everyone who’s experienced loss. View on Instagram.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at a civil rights rally in central L.A. in 1963 {photo reference by Julian Wasser} paired with the March on Washington 2020 — attendees wading in the reflecting pool on the National Mall, August 28, 2020 {photo reference by @jasoncandrew for @nytimes}.
Highlighted in painting are Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words from his “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963.
More info here