Daisies (Bellis Perennis)

oil on linen panel

ABOUT THE WORK

Daisies are a humble flower. They symbolize innocence and purity. In Norse mythology, the daisy is Freya's sacred flower. Freya is the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, and as such the daisy came by symbolize childbirth, motherhood, and new beginnings. Even just to look at a daisy, one can get a simple, positive vibe. They seem so happy, with their sun-like center surrounded by delicate white petals it looks a bit like a bright sun beaming through a cloud.
Each small work is painted on Belgian Linen, which in its natural state is a gray-ish neutral tone. I've left some parts of the canvas unpainted so you can see the texture of the natural linen. I wanted to try and replicate in paint, the vintage flower illustration plates from botanical books. I really enjoyed working in my garden this year. It was such a nice respite from the news and our increasingly difficult and unusual circumstances. My gardens were prolific with flowers and it was a pleasure to set up my little still lifes and paint. I think they make a wonderful grouping arrangement!