Friday 23 September 2016

I've been searching...

...through my photo files recently in an effort to pare down the hundreds of photos.  It's truly astounding how many floral pieces I've done over the years.

I've collaged them,


drawn them in pencil,


coloured them in chalk pastel,



sculpted them with acrylic medium,


created them from wine and beer bottle caps,

 crafted them from hand-painted papers,


turned them into altered books,



photographed and printed them on dryer sheets before adding them to a painting,


and created entire mountain ranges from them.


I'm fascinated by the number of paintings I've done that incorporate flowers (and I've kept record of some three hundred of them apparently), especially given that I'm so averse to the actual concept of getting my hands dirty in real soil.  I leave that up to my husband, John, who is so fond of gardening he's starts to resemble the dark rich colour of his favourite tomatoes in the summer.  

I suspect that the floral form is an instant connection to my beloved mandalas, the sacred circle.  I hope you'll tell me what your recurring themes are in the comment area below.  What is it that you return to again and again? How does it connect the dots for you in your life?

22 comments:

  1. I too return to florals time and time again. for me it's the colour and the flowing shapes.
    I had no idea you employed such a wide variety of mediums making floral art. I is a delight to see so many pieces I never knew about - you see, I came at the paper and bottle cap flowers phase!
    Love the sculpted sunflowers and The Three Sisters as a floral piece!

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    1. Your fabulous floral oils, acrylics and watercolours have been on my radar for some decades, Alice, so I'm unsurprised at your comment at all. I'm particularly fond of your luscious irises, although there's no flower you couldn't glory with your brush. I've been doing flowers for so long and in so many mediums it's truly crazy, and it was fun to review some of the oldies. I did The Three Sisters in full pastel colour, along with a couple of black and white sketches, and now I'm sorry that they've all gone to good homes, goodness knows where. They still make me smile. The sculpted sunflowers was something I always intended to do in a larger size, and it's still on my list.

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  2. Interesting Winn, I must have a look to see if there is a recurring theme in my work. I suspect it will be cogs as I continually use them in my projects as I love anything Vintage/Steampunk. Thanks for sharing this insight into your crafty life with us. Have a great weekend, Angela x

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    1. I'll be looking forward to hearing about your theme(s), Angela, although your steampunk posts always stand out in my mind, so I suspect you've nailed it there! xo

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  3. wow, I love each and every one of them!!! all so different, but one just as lovely as the next!!! hugs, patty

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    1. Many thanks, Patty...it's obviously not going to stop for a while, since I've got two in my current show, and more planned for the next one.

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  4. Wow! Lots and lots of flowers - your way of gardening Win!. A quick look through my catalogue shows that landscapes are my primary subject but I would need a closer study to find out how many of other subjects have grabbed me over the years. - Super work Win!

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    1. Isn't that the truth, Val? And so much cleaner than soil, right? And I know you've a love of landscapes - so many beautiful pieces over the years!

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  5. You always inspire me! I am privileged to own a beautiful piece of Win art

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    1. Many thanks, Vicki, and I'm delighted that you consider it a privilege - that piece was a favourite of mine. Sending hugs!

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  6. What a beautiful display of your boundless creativity, Win! I particularly like the sunflowers with all their texture.
    I find circles and spirals crop up a lot in my art. Sometimes they're deliberate, but often they seem to creep in and just be there when everything is finished.

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    1. Thanks, Tracy, and I'm with you on the circles and spirals. They seem to be so universal - every culture has some form of mandala permeating it in some way. I, too, am often surprised as I near the end of a work to find it filled with cirles in one form or another.

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  7. Wow- I guess you Can do anything! heehee Amazing how many ways you have worked with florals Win! Especially since you are not hip about the gardening and soil part-heehee sending hugs,Jackie

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    1. I know, Jackie - it's a bit nuts, isn't it? I used to enjoy gardening, but not so much in the last couple of decades. All my gardening seems to be in the studio. :D

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  8. Great collection of florals, Win! My absolute favourite is the collaged piece! It looks 3D!

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    1. Bang on Zsuzsa - the collaged piece, about 3' x 4', is about 6" deep. It's been a long-time favourite of mine too; the elements in it are laughable when seen up close, and include socks, Q-tips, make-up removers and other oddments. It was a lot of fun!

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  9. Hi Win, Your floral art is gorgeous, I think the 3rd is my favorite, but love them all. I hope all is well on your side of this country :) Cheers xxx

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    1. Thanks, Shirley - I have to say that the calla lilies obsessed me for many years - I did painting after painting (in yellow, white, peach, red and more) of that particular arrangement, and it was always a popular one. We're having a lovely warm fall, my friend - I hope the same is true of yours! Hugs, Win

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  10. What a great collection, Win! For me it is tress. Trees and clouds. I didn't even realize how often I painted trees (which I really know nothing about) until my daughter commented on how much I must love them. Often it is a solitary tree, for some reason, and often under the clouds I also love to paint. I couldn't identify one tree from another, but I must have an unconscious connection to them. I have always been fascinated by clouds and atmosphere and that's usually where my head is!

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    1. Trees and clouds are so very organic - I can see why they would pull you, Kimberley! I have a friend who works in pastel, and she does painting after painting of a lone tree of one sort or another - all stunning. Smiling at your head being in the clouds - you must be an artist! :D

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  11. You are truly a flower child...wonderful in their uniqueness everyone. With me it's just a vast collection of weirdness...go figure. Isn't it amazing how the artwork adds up year after year. Looking back is a trip in its self. Thanks for sharing your beautiful creations.

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    1. So true, Deann - flowers everywhere, all the time, over and over. And if I were able to duplicate your 'weirdness' in any way, I'd be over the moon - lusciousness forever!

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