December 29, 2022
In this painting I attempt to capture the happiness, love, and light that friendships bring into our lives. I hope you will enjoy it. For me the painting represents love and the simple joy of being together.
My husband would tell me after we moved and faced a series of challenges, “it’s times like these when even the smallest act of kindness is magnified.” And, that magnified kindness—the kindness of a friend that fills your heart and enriches your life— is what I wanted to express. Thus, I chose to use high chroma colors laid side by side, whether mixed, neat or layered to create a celebration of vibrating colors to amplify the beauty inside each individual— that beauty which is the gift of their friendship.
Friends come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They come from different areas, traditions, and orientations. They have different thoughts, beliefs, and ideas. They have different gifts to share. With these thoughts in mind I created each tree to be very different and unique. Even the trunks add individuality to each tree with their joyful colors and their contrasting designs.
Friends are not yours alone; they are also friends to others. Sometimes they may walk beside you in life. At other times they may walk ahead to guide you or even behind to support you. I positioned the trees to create a small grove in recognition of the intertwining of friendships and their network of support.
I use various textures and brush strokes across the painting to capture how life, like a strong and sure wind, brings change and moves us unconsciously to new beginnings. The layering of brilliant cool and warm colors and the side by side placement of intense complimentary colors further this sense of movement, creating a pulsating energy. This sensation is strongest in the tree furthest to the left. I call it my rainbow tree. The mixture of colors and textures creates a burst of wind powerfully moving the upper branches and heralding a life-changing event, one that will be best to face with the comfort of friends by your side.
Peace and love to all ❤️
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