Blooming Inspiration
Rachel Ellen AndrewsThe flowery muse is still in residence :-)
And my lovely Instagram friend, Sandy Morcom, asked me if I would share my inspiration for this series of flower paintings. I was going to reply on IG but realised that it wasn't a one sentence answer so here we go...
I love flowers and plants. I have plants all over my house and always like to have some fresh flowers.
I've painted and drawn plants and flowers before but maybe you haven't seen them. Some of these paintings are over in the gallery, some are in sketchbooks, there's a whole series of 'flower fairies' and my goddess paintings (also in the gallery) and journal pages nearly all include some organic shapes or plant forms.
When I was creating my goddess pages for 21 Secrets I started to think that it would be fun to make some paintings just about flowers rather than goddess and flowers. Not that long after, the flowers burst open onto my canvas when I had been having an extremely challenging day with video technology. Having cried with frustration I came into the studio and started to re-do a goddess painting that I had got stuck with.
I turned the canvas upside down, looked into the colours and energy of the painting and saw flowers rather than goddesses. Two hours later and MY energy had transformed PLUS the goddess in the painting was singing to me again.
You see, I'm starting to think that although I love to paint the goddess, she doesn't have to be IN the canvas every time for me to honour her and talk to her.
Since then, I don't seem to have stopped; the paint has flowed, the flowers have bloomed onto my canvases, Ostara is looking over my shoulder and I have her approval.
PLUS these paintings are helping me get through a testing period of health problems - but that may be a post for another day.
If you want to see more flower paintings, just flip back through the last few blog posts or you can visit/follow my Instagram or Flickr feed to see my photos everyday (I'm over at IG and Flickr as Rachellen333).
Phew! That was quite a long answer to your question Sandy, I'm glad I didn't try to reply on IG! It's been useful for me too to examine the why, so thank you :-)
What's blossoming for you dear heart, what motifs are blooming on your canvas and inspiring you right now? Please share - I always like to hear from you.
From my blossoming heart to yours
Rachel xox
ps don't forget to sign up here to stay in the loop about my upcoming ecourse - painting or journaling??? what do you think? You know what to do...
Reader Comments (18)
Hi Rachel,
I love your bursting out all over Spring flowers. Those colors just sing! I love painting flowers too, but always seem to get too detail oriented- maybe you could have a section about loosening up and abstracting (capturing the essence) more?? A client just gave me a bunch of tulips; guess what I'll be doing this weekend? About not having goddess imagery in your paintings- one of my favorite artists (besides you) Shiloh Sophia McCloud writes prayers/invocations/affirmations on her canvas, then paints. I love putting something like that under all the layers; helps hold the energy too.
Blessings,
Mary
That is so beautiful! I love to think about the new things that come of looking at our work from different points of view. <3
Dear Rachel,
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration for your new series of flower paintings. I've looked back on your gallery and noticed flowers everywhere! It's funny because before I was so focused on the goddesses I missed what was in the whole painting. I love your blog and the posts you share on IG and FB Rachel. You have such a lovely energy and it comes through in your writings and paintings. Sorry not to have responded sooner but most of my family (including me) have been down with a stomach virus. Still feeling a bit yucky but better thank goodness. You mentioned health problems in your post and I hope all is well with you, sending hugs to you my friend. And thank you again. <3
Mary - thanks for stopping by! I hope you got to paint your tulips. I use a sacred layer of writing in my journal pages, but haven't done this in my paintings. It's a lovely idea so will give it a go xox
Anna - I think that's what we do as artists isn't it? Look at things from a different point of view? I know you do - love to you xox
HI Sandy - sorry to hear you and yours have not been well - I hope you're all better now and thanks for your good wishes. Thanks for your lovely comments and I really do thank you for your question - it not only inspired this post, it made me look at what and why I'm painting xox
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