‘Innocence’- White Roses Flower Painting

Title:         Age of Innocence

Medium- Pastel on sandboard

Image Size 65x50cm (25.5"x19.5") Total size: Including border & frame 92x76cm ( 36"x30") White wood  frame with Museum grade, non reflective glass.

About this painting: Age of Innocence was painted as part of my 'Generations' project.  I worked with 40 children aged between 5-11, their parents & grandparents. The project was about finding inspiration from Nature & using it's seasons to help understand & unite the different generations within families. I worked with the groups over a period of 9 weeks, during which they each produced a finished artwork which was exhibited , along with my work in a big month long exhibition at the Ariel Gallery.

Age of Innocence was my tribute to the energy, interest & inspiration of the young children, so open to soak up ideas & learning. To watch those who said they just couldn't paint, create amazing work which they were so proud of was an honour. To hear them say that finding that they could actually do something which they thought was beyond their ability & how that lifted their confidence in themselves was an honour. To then discover that even the grandparents , at the opposite stage of life, experience exactly the same thing & made them feel they could still accomplish new things at any stage, brought the generations together with a new understanding of each other as they experience creating art from Nature together.

 If you are looking for a refreshing, uplifting and relaxing ambience in your room, Age of Innocence, with it's delicate white roses, creates a lovely happy feeling. The roses open in a multitude of soft petals, vulnerable, beautiful full of innocence. They radiate light, positivity and a soothing warmth. The velvety surface of the thickly layered pastel gives a soft matt finish enhanced by the non -reflective glass.

I never use grey or black in any of my work, so the shadows are made up of a multitude of soft colours. It gives the painting an unusual ability to almost change hues depending on its surroundings. If you look at the in situ photos you can see it suits just about any colour scheme.