Artists express a wide array of emotions while creating a piece of art. Sometimes abstract ideas can manifest in our minds. As much as "love" and "peace" are common words that just about anybody can identify with and put forth a definition, how can I express concepts such as these on a canvas?
Symbolism has been used for centuries in an attempt to bring the abstract thought or idea into a concrete concept and to be accepted by the masses. The simplest of symbols are words. If one were to write the letters - I L-O-V-E Y-O-U - you would most likely understand the thought the other person wishes to share with you. As far back as the 1600's, the Spring season has been celebrated as the season for courting, arousal, lovemaking, and in some cases, just pure sex. There are various ways that courting rituals have evolved.
In it's most basic form, plants of all varieties experience a reawakening from their winter hibernation. Animals begin their annual mating rituals in order for their particular species to survive. There have been (and still are) festivals that revolve around May 1st and the May pole (I don't have to explain that one - you can figure it out). Even our unspoken annual ritual of "Spring cleaning" has it's psychological roots in "cleaning out the nest of all the winter clutter". There's even modern studies that are supposedly proving that our libido is higher in the Spring.
What does all this have to do with art, or more to the point, this weeks blog? For me, beauty is a form of love. Look around - there's natural beauty all around us. I believe all this beauty, color, shape, and variety was put here by something greater than ourselves for all to enjoy. On the particular work I'm highlighting today, another aspect of beauty is shine. When coupled with the word "L-O-V-E", it reminds me of smiling eyes, a bright expression.
I found these two small paintings while doing some Spring cleaning around the house as well as in the studio. I decided to add some nail polish to them, especially the letters, so they stood out more. I have no intention of displaying them in a gallery or a show. I plan to hang these in my living room as bookends above two windows where the photographs of my four grandchildren are.
May peace and love abound in your heart as well.
Until next time,
The Happy Painter,
Jill
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