I am playing around with ideas this morning. I have had the old saying 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' on my to paint list for a while now. I want to explore peoples interpretation of what exactly beauty is. In women the media forces youngsters to view beauty as being mirror image of our fashion models which can cause huge issues for many and can all too easily lead to heartache but is this really beauty or is a more natural figure more beautiful to the eye? I was also thinking about flowers this morning as I was looking out at my neglected garden full of so called weeds. I think these wild flowers have such beauty in them but so many overlook them because they are small or because they grow where we plant our cultivated flowers. I would like to use both ideas in my painting and work towards developing a parallel between them. I don't set my self easy tasks do I (grin)
So.... I could really do with your input on this one. What do you consider to be the most beautiful cultivated flower and why? Just quickly asking around my family we came up with rose or orchid, maybe because of their link with romance??? I really hope you can spare the time to leave your comments. I would love to incorporate some of your views into my painting.
Hoping to hear from you all soon.
Edit: When I asked my daughter she thought carefully and said "so you want us to think of what the equivalent flower to the famous model superstar would be, the perfect flower, not necessarily the most beautiful in my eyes." She is so good with words so I thought I would add this here as an edit and not just in my comment reply. So what is the famous model superstar of the flower world the Naomi Campbell or Gisele Bundchen equivalent?
Ona
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
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12 comments:
Ona, that is impossible for me to answer. I simply love too many blossoms and when I see one, it is my favorite of that moment.
However, the GARDENIA bloom always has a charm for me. I see one, even in print, and immediately I smell it's perfume, I think of CocoChannel and glamor, and Paris pre-war and fabulous jewels, and long curving stairways, a "grand" entrance. Even a dead bloom holds the mystique, it's soft yellowing colors, it's suede feel, like the pages of a well-worn favorite novel, or the pages of a young woman's diary from the prime of her life. It's Opulence, it's Romance, it's a life well-lived. You see, I get quite mushy about it, yes, I do.
Thanks Fookie. Mushy is good. Its really interesting to hear others views. I have asked the same question on the Wet Canvas daily wash today and so far they have come up with iris, hydrangea poppy and peony, all for a variety of reasons. I guess its true for flowers at least...beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. I asked my daughter just now and she raised a really interesting point that has helped me think more deeply. She listened to my ideas for the painting and said "so you want us to think of what the equivalent flower to the famous model superstar would be, the perfect flower, not necessarily the most beautiful in my eyes." Maybe seeing yours and those on the daily washes responses so far this is true. So what is the famous model superstar of the flower world the Naomi Campbell or Gisele Bundchen equivalent?
Ona
My favorite flower is the common daffodil, it may not be the most beautiful but it's my personal favorite. Other favorites are the Magnolia, Plumaria, Jasmine, and orange blossoms! Oddly enough the photo on my business card is none of the above, it's a ranunculus. I'll send you a pm with a photo of it!
hap
I think you are right: flowers (you could actually do an entire series!!).
But, the one that comes to my mind is the dogwood, and, if I remember correctly, represents the cross of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is my personal beauty. But, again, that is personal...it would be my personal choice.
Much love, Donna
Oh my, what a difficult question. So many flowers bring me joy that it is next to impossible to choose one. I remember telling my husband 26 years ago when we were married that even though we had been through the ceremony we were not truly married until I had a pickett fence and southern magnolia so i guess that would have to be the one.......
Pansies! A definite beautiful little face lies in each one of these beauties! I almost imagine that a fairy guides each one of these little faces. Purples and deep rich red with the rich yellows, blues, all colors. I love their little faces!
Irises would be my second choice!
Ona:
There are so many lovely flowers to choose from. My favorite cut flower is the white daisy. It is so graceful and cheerful, but as for beauty, I think I must go with apple blossoms. They are so delicate and fragrant. I also love the Iris, for its color combinations and grace, especially when blowing in the breeze.
As you can see, I couldn't choose just one.
Violetta/Judyth
Ona and mini Ona, The Heidi Klumm of the flower world would be the Gardenia, for the reasons I stated.
My favourite flower is the Belladonna Lily, second is the Stargazer Lily, because the perfume is almost identical, and I can't buy the Belladonna blooms readily.
Why?
When I was a child, I spent a lot of time at my aunties farm. There was a little bridge, going over a small steam that lead up to her front garden. The stream was planted with Belladonna Lilies, hundreds of them. The perfume, was exquisite. The flowers are absolutey gorgeous. Naked ladies are their common name, because they bloom first, then their leaves are born.
I have wonderful memories of my Aunty Marges place, and every time I smell those lillies, I remember, with joy.
Pretty much every person who has a favourite flower, is because that flower has special memories for them.
agreed....mine is the nasturtium. Such simplicity yet color and texture and self seeding. Lilacs, Peonies gardinas and the
the nasturtium. Interested to see what you set your brush to dear Ona.
I was amiss in not telling you the beauty of the Gardenia blossom itself. It's formation is masterful. It starts as a tightly furled bud hinting at the separations and slowly it allows itself to peal open. It's multiple layers flatten to accomodate the next layer and so forth, like human life, eh; our forms change too as we age. The colors blend from bright white yellows at the center, and gather more yellow as the age. Just a lovely, multifaceted bloom. And then the foilage!
Strange how it did not occur to me that you were thinking of a painting. You have much fodder with this blossom, it has it all. Texture, depth, intensity, and the fragrance that everyone remembers.
Thank you all so much. You have certainly given me a lot to think about. Donna, I think you are right. At some point I am going to have to do a series of paintings based around flowers. For now though I have narrowed my choice down to a gardenea rose and a calla lily. Now I am trying to find out more about the meaning behind each to help me decide.
Ona
Ona
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