Holding Fast to Dreams

The starting point for this abstract piece has been a reflection on the symbolism of roses in response to the theme of 'unity'. My exploration of the rose theme is through colour: I enjoyed mixing pigments in my own recipes to many different hues of rose red. The rose, of course, has often been associated with the idea of unity between two lovers: red roses stand in for passion, white ones for purity and innocence, pink for gratitude and peace and yellow for friendship. The unity that we associate with roses can be one of a divine or earthly nature. The metaphor of the rose appears in the mythology of many countries across the world; roses have spiritual as well political connotations (as a symbol of socialism).

I enjoyed mainly working with bold brush strokes in this piece being guided by the flow of the painting. This piece as a dreamy and airy quality to it, like much of my recent work.

The canvas has been painted around the edges in a complementary colour. Hooks and cord are attached at the back – the painting is ready for hanging.

The painting comes with a signed certificate of authenticity.