Summer, Lemon, Lemonade

About a year ago I painted a still life of making lemonade. I set up my objects to create a narrative. The obvious meaning is the gradual change, transformation as the lemons, first full, then cut in half, then squeezed, and lastly mixed with water and honey become something different. This painting was inspired by this lovely homemade drink of my childhood and my own children slowly growing up, changing and becoming more and more independent. In this painting the 3 lemons represent my 3 children. First, there is the knife which in my interpretation symbolizes the cutting of the umbilical cord. It is the first separation of mother and child, that will gradually grow and becomes complete when the kids are leaving the “nest” and become independent. My oldest child is turning 17 this year and the thought of him leaving is already filling me with anxiety. Painting about this subject definitely helps me process the feeling. Would you have guessed any of the above just by looking at the painting?

Daffodils

The Revenant, oil on 12” tondo, 2023 (SOLD)

I love painting flowers. I especially love daffodils. These perennials start to pop up everywhere in February signaling that the end of winter is coming soon. They are like stars descended from the sky, shining bright yellow or white in the dead winter scape. They are metaphors of rebirth and hope. I promised myself to paint at least one daffodil painting every year.

This painting is the start of a new series of alla prima flower paintings. Life can change in a heartbeat. Flowers are delicate just like life. They change so fast and painting them in one sitting makes sense as they won’t look the same the next day.