I've always liked flowers.
Not cool when you're at art college, or at least, that's what was made clear to me by my peers at the time.
So it was something I slowly eliminated from my art work.
But now I'm thirty-six years old, I'm able to let flora and fauna back into my work, without any embarrassment or guilt............ well almost. To a certain extent, painting flowers does feel like a dirty little secret.
Being into gardening, and flowers, wasn't the same as painting them. I think I was seen as a little eccentric............ someone my age gardening, just another of Vanessa's strange little ways, but acceptable because it had an element of mystery to people in their early to mid twenties. I could name plants, like Auriculas, and grow them from seed. I'd give away plants I'd grown, all most hilarious and endearing.
Well, I'm not in contact with any of those people now, so I am utterly and totally free to be my own person.
I am............... defiant!
And I will set my passion for painting flowers free.
That will explain why my studio is becoming a little cluttered with flowers.
Not just the freshly cut, or potted variety, as it turns out. Something which has wierdly surprised me.
I seem to have been collecting flowers of one kind or another for years.
From silk flowers, to swimming hats.
I love this swimming hat. I found it in a charity shop, and it reminds me of a photo of myself at about the age of eight, trying to look very grown up, sporting a similar hat, while swimming in the sea.
And, it has flowers on it.
This tray was another 'find'. Much too valuable to be used......... in my opinion..............
Hand painted plates, by someone unknown.
Even this candelabra didn't escape being entered into a collection of objects I was in self-denial about.........
Flowers.
For goodness sake........... I even bought washing-up gloves with huge pink flowers attached to them..........
How was I kidding myself?
A paper weight with a flower in it.......?
A tiny dish in the shape of a pansy...........?
Who, exactly was I trying to fool?
It took about fifteen years, but my affliction has finally resolved itself. I am now doing what comes naturally to me............
......... I am doing what I enjoy, maybe even love to do.
I am painting flowers.
I've come full circle..... isn't life strange?
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I've always liked flowers.
Not cool when you're at art college, or at least, that's what was made clear to me by my peers at the time.
So it was something I slowly eliminated from my art work.
But now I'm thirty-six years old, I'm able to let flora and fauna back into my work, without any embarrassment or guilt............ well almost. To a certain extent, painting flowers does feel like a dirty little secret.
Being into gardening, and flowers, wasn't the same as painting them. I think I was seen as a little eccentric............ someone my age gardening, just another of Vanessa's strange little ways, but acceptable because it had an element of mystery to people in their early to mid twenties. I could name plants, like Auriculas, and grow them from seed. I'd give away plants I'd grown, all most hilarious and endearing.
Well, I'm not in contact with any of those people now, so I am utterly and totally free to be my own person.
I am............... defiant!
And I will set my passion for painting flowers free.
That will explain why my studio is becoming a little cluttered with flowers.
Not just the freshly cut, or potted variety, as it turns out. Something which has wierdly surprised me.
I seem to have been collecting flowers of one kind or another for years.
From silk flowers, to swimming hats.
I love this swimming hat. I found it in a charity shop, and it reminds me of a photo of myself at about the age of eight, trying to look very grown up, sporting a similar hat, while swimming in the sea.
And, it has flowers on it.
This tray was another 'find'. Much too valuable to be used......... in my opinion..............
Hand painted plates, by someone unknown.
Even this candelabra didn't escape being entered into a collection of objects I was in self-denial about.........
Flowers.
For goodness sake........... I even bought washing-up gloves with huge pink flowers attached to them..........
How was I kidding myself?
A paper weight with a flower in it.......?
A tiny dish in the shape of a pansy...........?
Who, exactly was I trying to fool?
It took about fifteen years, but my affliction has finally resolved itself. I am now doing what comes naturally to me............
......... I am doing what I enjoy, maybe even love to do.
I am painting flowers.
I've come full circle..... isn't life strange?
you flower collection is awesome.
Posted by: ben | February 05, 2008 at 12:57 AM
at the moment in my living room I have; a bouquet of flowers on the hearth - roses and lilies and lovely foliage from some dear friends; a posy of roses, berries and flowers I can't name (but I am sure you could!) tightly arranged in oasis in a gavanised bucket; a small bunch of brightly coloured gerberas in a vase, sat on a shelf. We both love fresh flowers around the house, it really does lift a room and I even have been known to buy flowers for the bathroom!
I try to curb my love of floral items like decorative items, kitchenware etc for the sake of a marital harmony (real flowers are one thing, floral teatowels quite another apparently!) but the odd thing or three does creep in from time to time :-)
Your paintings in your last picture are beautiful vanessa. You ignore everyone and follow your heart; I am sure you do. x
Posted by: Sarah | February 05, 2008 at 09:39 AM
oh mY oh my, your flower photos and collections are both magnificent! pllllllllease tell me where you got those washing up gloves, I SO WANT a pair!
I am going through something similar to do with roses, I never really cared for them that much but recently I have been obsessed with them - not necessarily the real thing, but like you, I am loving the decorative element of roses, the colours and smells. I have been drooling over paper roses, fabric with roses on, even greetings cards with pitcures of roses, and the scent of them - drawer liners, bath oil, rose soaps etc. Odd folk we are eh?!!
By the way, your paintings!!!!!!!!!! oh, they are incredibly beautiful. PLease hurry up and get that etsy shop open, they really are calling out to me!
xx
Posted by: Lucy | February 05, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I read your blog daily, but just HAD to comment on this post.
The real tragedy of art school is exactly as you have described...
not being free to be YOURSELF because of the pressure to be all kewl and artyschool radical...sigh.
PLEASE continue your gorgeous work that truly reflects YOU as the artist.
So glad you've come full circle to your authentic self!
xoxox
Posted by: greta | February 05, 2008 at 12:07 PM
your flowers and your flower pictures are a delight Vanessa, keep painting!!!
oh and I so want to see you in that swimming hat - the age 8 you, and the age 36 you!
Posted by: driftwood | February 05, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Here's to freedom in maturity! Our youngest daugher (age 30) includes this in her favourite quotes: "Say what you want and be who you are because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" ~ Dr. Seuss
Cheers from your Canadian fan.
Posted by: Alice Saltiel-Marshall | February 05, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Firstly you have just given me nightmares with that swimming hat. I was frequently peeled into a white one, exactly like that one when I was a child. I had thick curly long hair and it was not a pretty sight!
Secondly I am the same age as you.
And lastly, I denied for a long time that I was actually quite girly and liked pretty things, instead opting for big boots, black clothing and loud music. Imagine my surprise that now I am older I love all things sweet, pretty and calm.
Love all your beautiful pictures.
Jennie.
Posted by: Jennie | February 05, 2008 at 10:51 PM
So much beauty!
Posted by: helle Jorgensen | February 06, 2008 at 03:41 AM
TO SEE OURSELVES IN A GRAIN OF SAND..!!!
WE ARE ALLOWED..."TO BE"...
AND NO ONE CAN DENY THAT...
WHAT WE CAN SEE WITH OUR OWN "EYE"
IS A VALIDATION OF OUR OWN VALUES ...
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE ALL STAY TRUE TO
WHAT WE VALUE...IT IS UNTHINKABLE THAT WE WOULD CHANGE FOR ANOTHER VALUE THAT WE DO NOT HOLD TRUE TO...WELL DONE VANESSA..{:>)
Posted by: RI | February 08, 2008 at 09:55 PM