Did you know that I worked for several years as a florist?
I have a deep love of flowers and the beauty of nature and often I find that my art reflects this interest.
One of my favourite artists is Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), who was a major figure in American Modernist art. Her vision for her art was based on finding the essential forms in nature, choosing to paint landscapes, flowers, and bones, which she observed around the places she lived. She observed the smallest details and painted subtle variations of color, shape, and light that brought her paintings to life.
"Nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small. We haven't time - and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time.
If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small. So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it - I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers.
...Well, I made you take time to look at what I saw and when you took time to really notice my flower you hung all your own associations with flowers on my flower and you write about my flower as if I think and see what you think and see of the flower - and I don't."
- Georgia O'Keeffe
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/okeeffe_georgia.html
Here are some of her paintings. I find them breathtaking. I was lucky enough to see some of her work at the Art Gallery of New South Wales last year, her brush work is fine and precise, even across large areas of colour.
I have a deep love of flowers and the beauty of nature and often I find that my art reflects this interest.
One of my favourite artists is Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), who was a major figure in American Modernist art. Her vision for her art was based on finding the essential forms in nature, choosing to paint landscapes, flowers, and bones, which she observed around the places she lived. She observed the smallest details and painted subtle variations of color, shape, and light that brought her paintings to life.
"Nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small. We haven't time - and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time.
If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small. So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it - I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers.
...Well, I made you take time to look at what I saw and when you took time to really notice my flower you hung all your own associations with flowers on my flower and you write about my flower as if I think and see what you think and see of the flower - and I don't."
- Georgia O'Keeffe
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/okeeffe_georgia.html
Here are some of her paintings. I find them breathtaking. I was lucky enough to see some of her work at the Art Gallery of New South Wales last year, her brush work is fine and precise, even across large areas of colour.