October 3, 2022
This work documents my father’s last spring. He fought hard to overcome winter and his declining health. Recognizing the juxtaposition of using yellows and browns that might have been used to create the sallow complexion of illness, I call to mind, instead, my love for the vibrant, beautiful yellow of sunflowers as I attempt to create a majestic presence in my father’s tree as it reaches towards the sky— the tips of it’s branches turning blue as they stretch to touch heaven. Ochres and browns develop my father’s tree with an earthy richness, sense of solidity, and endurance. My mother’s presence is felt In the soft gray shadow branches appearing to entwine my father’s tree from behind, as he imagines a joyful reunion and continuation of their enduring love.
These same rich ochres create the light on the surface of the most distant tree while blues and greens develop the shadows in the depth of it’s textured bark. The blues of the sky are repeated in the creation of the middle-ground tree. An approaching storm darkens the sky behind this tree, the gorged clouds foreshadowing the sadness and grief that is sure to come and dulling the vibrant colors of spring— even as the foreground tree remains alight with brilliant yellows beneath a mostly blue sky and where multicolored wildflowers spring forth from the meadow beneath in celebration of a life well lived. Reluctant Spring— a juxtaposition of continuity of love and the transformation of loss.
Commenti