A is for apples and abundance.
My husband made a remark that got me thinking about why I love painting apples. He thinks the pastel paintings are well done, but he doesn't understand why I choose to paint fruit.
I just love a fresh, crisp, juicy apple. I look forward to fall's new harvest of apples and we always have apples in the fridge. I love apple pie, apple crisp, baked apples, apple cider, applesauce.....pretty much anything apple! I love their color variation and I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of painting their nuanced colors and shapes in pastels. But, for me, there's a deeper meaning/message here.
The painting's subject reflects the abundance in our lives.
I think it's safe to say the abundance in our lives is so abundantly abundant that sometimes we take our abundance for granted. Yup, I'm guilty. A change of circumstances approximately a year and a half ago brought that clearly into focus for me. The recent news stories about refugees leaving their homeland to find a safe harbor has reminded me there is a stark contrast between their lives and ours. Abundance, for us, is everywhere.
My abundance/blessings start with the fact that my twin sister is well and happy; my husband supports and encourages my art making; we have lovely family and friends; we have a wonderful home with two healthy little cats; we are well; we have food in our pantry; our cars run; our bills are paid on time; our water is clean; we both have jobs (I have a full-time job that supports my art habit!); we live in a small, progressive college town....the list is endless.
When you look at my art, the subject I've chosen is something I consider beautiful and want to honor. That subject is also a celebration of the abundance in my life. (And I do mean the abundantly abundant abundance.) I hope you see that I adored the crisp, juicy apple or I was gobsmacked by mother nature's beautiful scenery, or I was intrigued by a small vignette of leaves. I hope you feel my sense of joy and gratitude for these treasures the natural world provides and for the opportunity to paint them.
If you feel so inclined....leave a message about your abundance or your art. What inspires you?
May the universe be gentle and generous with you.
Next Blog: B is for Beauty.
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