Good morning All,
Last year (2023), I contemplated a new series: “Pavilions of Splendor”
These works were meant to combine natural forms with imaginary architectural forms. My plan was to begin with the "The Hanging Gardens of Babylon,” considered one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. They’ve been an artistic subject for over 200 years, as the following 19th century hand-colored engraving (via Wikipedia) shows.
Almost nothing is known definitively about these gardens. (Britanica.com has a short summary.) But this very lack of knowledge, coupled with the exotic name, invited me to imagine them in an ancient, desert city. BUT I found as I began that I was not quite ready to deal with the idea yet. I needed to finish the first painting and let the theme ‘rest’ for a while because I began to overpaint each surface and end up with an undecided and struggling ‘mass’!
I actually liked this beginning but then proceeded to make a completely different painting over it!
If only had had taken a little time to wander and wonder among my imagination.
However, one painting did reach completion but in a different theme – Homage to Longwood Gardens.
Lush Garden Symphony 48x48 Oil
This also underwent several changes - more of a struggle than most. You too can start, stop and rearrange your creations.
Never give up!
Peace,
Gay