Speaking Truth to Flower, Part I (Soft Pastel, 21 × 27)
This painting is the first in a series of four where I wanted to express how I felt about the increasing use of lies that threaten democracy. The desire to speak the truth gives democracy a chance to flourish. I hope That you bring your own interpretations, but I invite you to notice the changes from I to IV. Each of the four paintings have these elements: an old Underwood, a spherical object, a bird. In Part I, the apple symbolizes knowledge, the owl, wisdom, and the typewriter is intact. In Part II, there is a plastic globe and the typewriter, attached to the world by a thread, now has blank keys. In Part III, the spherical object has transformed into a flock of hot air balloons, and the Underwood is completely detached. The keys have become a labyrinth. In Part IV, there are now a few soap bubbles, and the keyboard has disappeared. So, truth has dissolved... but the birds remind us that there is still hope.
Speaking Truth to Flower, Part II (Soft Pastel, 21 × 27)
Venant tout juste de sortir de sa chrysalide, ce magnifique papillon monarque se repose sur un caniveau et essaie ses nouvelles ailes en préparation pour son vol inaugural. Quand on entame quelque chose de nouveau – que ce soit un programme éducatif, une relation, un emploi, un projet, une autre étape dans la vie – on peut se demander quel en sera bien le résultat, mais dans un acte de foi, on se lance dans l’avenir. L’incertitude, ce n’est pas forcément mauvais. C’est le nectar qui nous donne de l’énergie et qui alimente nos rêves. Le matin s’est levé et un nouveau jour a commencé.
Speaking Truth to Flower, Part III (Soft Pastel, 21 × 27)
Speaking Truth to Flower, Part IV (Soft Pastel, 21 × 27)