Poppies
Letting Go with Joy, Love & Peace.
It is said that an artist is their own worse critic…well I certainly have been. I know it is a good thing to take pride in my work and always push the boundaries in order to achieve the level of painting that I want to achieve; not comparing myself but to be better than I was yesterday. So with that in mind I have realized that while I am painting and pushing my boundaries, I am developing; but in the process I am also advancing which can be somewhat crippling at times because I then am dissatisfied with a painting not long after it is finished. I have an idea, an image in my head that I want to attain…therefore I often don’t appreciate the beauty of a piece that I just painted.
I have been going through my studio getting organized for new clients and new work. In the process I came across some older paintings that I did on watercolor paper. I have a new appreciation for them; absence makes the heart grow fonder. 🙂
It reminds me of when I go to my sister, Charlene`s, home. She has collected many pieces of my work: a handmade, lidded ceramic box with intricate carving and a soft moss green, sugary glaze, little leaf print dishes with tiny coiled feet, an ornately carved tile piece, and (among other works) paintings which I made so many years ago. When I see them I can`t help but gaze a little longer at them and wonder why did I not appreciate these before? I am thankful that she has kept them safe. It is like old friends that someone has taken care of for my return visit.
These flower paintings do have a charm of their own and I can see that they can be loved and appreciated by someone as much as I have come to love them. If my work brings joy to one person it will have been worth it.
I can imagine them all being framed and hung as a group on one large wall or even in some small, precious, sitting nook to be enjoyed while relaxing for the day. I can imagine that they will be quietly speaking peace to the home where they will live.
Well today I have decided that in order for this “river” to flow I will let these paintings fly away to rest in whichever home they are meant for.
I am letting go with love, joy and peace …sending these out to their new families. My hope is that once they have been framed and placed in their perfect nest, that the owner would take a photograph of themselves with the painting (or just the painting if you wish) and allow me to have a digital copy for my portfolio. It would be such a good memory for me.
Each one, no matter the size, is CAD $60.00 each (plus shipping).
Thank you for your kindness in liking and sharing this post around the world.
Hugs to all.
I am including larger, individual images with the size and description underneath each one….keep scrolling. 🙂
Ink and Watercolor on YUPO – 26 inches x 16.5 inches.
Big Pink Poppy – Watercolor on Paper. 16 x 20 inches.
Irises – Watercolor of paper. 11 x 15 inches.
Red Poppies – Watercolor of paper. 11 x 15 inches
Pink Poppies Watercolor on Canson Painting Board 16 x 20 inches.
Poppy – Watercolor on paper. 11 x 15 inches.
Red Poppy- Watercolor on paper. 11 x 15
Orange and Red Poppies – Watercolor on paper. 11 x 15 inches
Tulips – Watercolor on Canson Paint Board. 16 x 20 inches
Poppies in the Breeze. – Watercolor on paper. 11 x 15 inches
Blue Vase. Acrylic on Windsor Newton 140 Lb paper. 22 x 30 inches.
Love, Joy Peace- Watercolor on Windsor Newton 140 Lb- 7 x 10 inches.
Flowers Everywhere
According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, nature provides us with a simple way to improve emotional health – FLOWERS. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.
A team of researchers explored the link between flowers and life satisfaction in a 10-month study of participants’ behavioral and emotional responses to receiving flowers. The results show that flowers are a natural and healthful moderator of moods.
- Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. All study participants expressed “true” or “excited” smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups.
- Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically, study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.
- Flowers make intimate connections. The presence of flowers led to increased contact with family and friends.
“Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy,” said Dr. Haviland-Jones. “Now, science shows that not only do flowers make us happier than we know, they have strong positive effects on our emotional well being.”
My paintings of flowers are more than just representations, they inspire joy, they brighten your environment and they last. In harmony with the image of the flowers there are the brushstrokes, the texture, the color…one can be absorbed into a painting for any length of time and every time may discover something about it that transmits a wealth of happiness and satisfaction.
Some of these paintings are available. They vary in price. You can contact me here or my social media for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Dawn-Fine-Art/1015450641815718?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
homestudio1@shaw.ca
Plein Air
One of my favorite time of year is when the weather is so gorgeous and I get to go outdoors to paint…it’s called Plein Air painting.
I pack up my paints, a lunch and all of my gear and head out usually toward Kananaskis to paint with my painting partner Shirley Adams. It is a lot of work sometimes, but it is sure worth it. I get refreshed and in spite of the wind or the heat of the sun or the bites from bugs…I love it.
Here are some of the paintings from this year, I painted at Spray Lakes West, and CNIB, Glenbow Ranch and a few other places.
I hope you enjoy the paintings.
These are poppies that were blooming at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
