Backstory

Lotus | 2014

My family gifted me a flower arrangement adorned with green lotus pods after an exhibition in 2011 and I became captivated by these pods' developmental stages. Witnessing the pods transition from vitality to a dormant state between death and life sparked an emotional and spiritual resonance within me. This moment symbolized a pivotal shift, prompting me to create a painting that encapsulated the essence of choice.

During the time I was fascinated with Buddhist philosophy, it deeply influenced my artistic journey. I chose the lotus flower as a symbol of purity, which grows out of the muddy waters. For my painting, I used a dried lotus pod that contained only a few seeds, representing the moment of stasis before new growth and transition can occur.

The background of the painting features a cosmos of dark blue, green, and black, replacing the typical muddy waters of a lotus pond. This indicates the vastness and limitless experiences we can grow from. Most of the hand, except the index finger, is painted in dark brown and purple hues, representing stasis. The index finger, on the other hand, is painted vibrantly with "life & light," pointing toward a single seed.

The painting symbolizes the hope and possibility of choosing a path that could lead to light and the cessation of suffering. It encourages the transition from old patterns and behaviours to new ones, using one's murky waters to form the basis for awareness and beauty.

This artwork stands as a visual reminder for introspection before action. It asks whether the next decision will perpetuate suffering or lead to its cessation. Moreover, as someone navigating through episodes of depression, as I have, it serves as a beacon of hope—a reminder that every decision holds the potential for positive change down the line.

Techniques

SURFACE:
Muspaneel
www.muspaneel-art.com
Medite MDF 9mm | Very smooth white top layer (Muspaneel® formula)

MEDIUM:
Old Holland Oil Paints
www.oldholland.com
Indian Ink
www.royaltalens.com
Artists’ Satin Varnish
www.winsornewton.com

TECHNIQUE:
I used my mother’s right hand as a reference. For the first layer of my painting, I used a combination of Indian ink, water, and a hairdryer. I allowed the ink to dry in some areas and pool in others to create hues. To ensure that the ink remained visible, I started painting thin, transparent glazes of oil paint. This helped to create the depth I wanted. Next, I painted the dried lotus pod and the hand in opaque colours and used glazes over them to once again create depth. Once I was satisfied with the painting, I left it to dry for a few months before applying a gloss varnish. I prefer satin over gloss or matte but in this case, I needed very dark tones.

Artists Collection