JACKIE'S ARUM LILIES

'Jackie's Arum Lilies', mixed media on canvas (50cm x 50cm)

The arum lilies in my garden.

Sometimes my flower canvases have a story behind them, in this case it is a particularly sad one.  Jackie was one of my best friends who died in a car accident nearly fifteen years ago, at the age of 45, leaving behind a loving husband and three children.  She had green fingers and one of her favourite plants was the sculptural arum lily.  Years before the tragedy, she gave me a clump, split from her beautiful display,  for my garden.  They flourished and multiplied in their stately beauty.  Each time I have moved house (twice) since then,  I have insisted that part of the deal included taking some of the lily plants.

This became particularly poignant after her death, as they reminded me so much of her.  I wanted to paint something in her memory.  I looked out into my garden and saw the lovely display the lilies were making and in the same border were drifts of lavender.  I liked the way the deep blue/purple flowers contrasted with the white of the lilies. I took some photographs, made thumb nail sketches for composition and began layering paint and paper. The text contains the words of 'The Lord of the Dance' which was played at her wedding, at which I was the only bridesmaid, and at her funeral. The black background seemed fitting.  Many of my artworks are reproduced and sold as cards. This image has been used and is often bought for remembrance.