Celestial Aunt
Oil on canvas
40 x 40 in (101.5 x 101.5 x3.8 cm)
© Stephanie Fuller (Burns) 2023
In the delicate strokes of my painting "Celestial Aunt," a pink lily unfurls its petals against a backdrop of shimmering silver, while a gentle white edge traces its contours. As the years go by, I find myself discovering personalities in living things, a connection that deepens with time.
Amidst the challenges of overpopulation and the looming specter of climate change, the flora and fauna that encompass our world beckon to be acknowledged, demanding our attention and action. These natural wonders serve as poignant reminders of our responsibility to safeguard the delicate balance of life.
Throughout more than three decades of my artistic journey, I've been drawn to explore the fragility of existence, a theme that often finds its expression through flowers—both sculpted and painted. "Celestial Aunt" captures this essence, invoking a profound sense of resilience and beauty.
The act of depicting life and death within the realm of well-tread artistic subjects, like flower paintings, provides a unique vantage point. With each era, new inspirations emerge, offering diverse perspectives and aspirations. This painting, in its grace and vibrancy, echoes the passage of time and the enduring vitality of nature's creations.
Let "Celestial Aunt" be a reminder that as we navigate the intricacies of life, our connection to the world around us deepens, and its beauty remains a constant source of inspiration, offering solace and strength.
This flower painting is almost figurative, with the flower represented as having a personality even a sexuality. My flower paintings are inspired by an obsession with life and death as traditionally represented by Still-lives.
This flower is more than just a pretty decoration; it is something fundamental to our planet. That is both fragile, necessary, and ever-changing.
On a personal level lilies remind me of my wonderful Aunt Fran. After her funeral we found a mysterious bouquet of pink Lilies on her grave with no note. As though she had left them there herself. She was that sort of person.