Clivias

[Hermes2020]

This is the first painting I’ve done in almost a year. For the last 10 months my mental and physical energy levels have been really low, caused by radiation and hormone therapy I underwent for prostate cancer. It was caught early, fortunately, and my really excellent team of specialists did a wonderful job. At the moment they are all happy with the results and my strength and temperament have improved so much that I felt ready to tackle a commission for someone close to me. She requested a cheerful and sunny floral painting for her bedroom. This is the result. It is an idealized, realistic depiction of two types of clivia flowers against a fairly abstract backdrop of foliage.

The painting was done in Winsor & Newton Griffin alkyd paints on an 800mm x 800mm primed hardboard support.

 

[Enyaw]

I would not have expected such a photo realistic image from you . It is rather well done.

 

[Hermes2020]

I would not have expected such a photo realistic image from you . It is rather well done.

Thank you and yes, you are correct. It is very far from what I usually do. I did it out of love and respect for the person who requested it. Believe me, there aren't many people in the world I would do that for.

 

[Enyaw]

Believe me, there aren't many people in the world I would do that for.

.... fortunate; you are. I'm sure it will be appreciated ten times over.

 

[snoball]

Just beautiful. I love all the detail in the flowers.

 

[Hermes2020]

Just beautiful. I love all the detail in the flowers.

Thank you so much.

 

[Terri]

This is an eye-catching thing of beauty! The treatment of light, your details, it's all there. What a grand way to re-enter your hobby!

Very glad to hear your great results from treatment. Hope this means we get more art from you!

 

[Hermes2020]

This is an eye-catching thing of beauty! The treatment of light, your details, it's all there. What a grand way to re-enter your hobby!

Very glad to hear your great results from treatment. Hope this means we get more art from you!

Thank you Terri, your comments are really appreciated. I am starting to feel the urges again to make stuff, so if all goes well. I will be posting again in the near future.

 

[pcj]

This is lovely.
Glad that you're having good results from the treatment and that you are feeling
better.
Patricia

 

[Donna T]

It’s so good to see that you’re painting again, Hermes, and even better to know that your health is improving. These flowers are gorgeous and will no doubt make the recipient very, very happy!

 

[laika]

So beautiful and bright! Excellent!
I'm happy to hear that you are on the mend, and I hope you soon feel like yourself again.

 

[Hermes2020]

Patricia, Donna, and laika, thank you all for your positive comments, as well as your good wishes.

 

[ntl]

Certainly a cheer-inducing piece. I know she loves it.
I'm glad too, to hear your health is improving and you're getting stronger every day.

 

[CaliAnn]

Beautiful painting! I agree, I would never have known this was one of yours, if I didn't see that you posted it. Very bright and cheerful.
Hope you continue to improve - sending blessings your way!

 

[Hermes2020]

Beautiful painting! I agree, I would never have known this was one of yours, if I didn't see that you posted it. Very bright and cheerful.
Hope you continue to improve - sending blessings your way!

Thank you for your kind words! The fact that it doesn't look like my usual stuff raises some interesting questions about identity. Of course, this is obviously a pastiche that was painted to make someone happy. But then, it was still my creation. Even if, while I was painting it, I may have stopped and asked myself many times whether it was really "me", I think it was just another side that doesn't show too often. The usual non-figurative paintings and sculptures I show here at Creative Spark do interest me more and give me more pleasure to execute, but this one was a good learning experience. The learning was augmented with valuable advice from Wayne and Zoran on achieving believable shadows and highlights on the petals.

 

[Jo Castillo]

Beautiful and here's to your good health!

 

[john]

Wow, gorgeous.

 

[Triduana]

I think it's stunning! I just love those vivid blooms and the way they stand out against the criss-crossed leaves. It's good to see your work, and glad to hear you are on the mend.

 

[Artyczar]

Wow! For someone who has been through the wringer, you managed to crank out something so incredibly positive and happy, AND gorgeous! I'm so sorry you've been through all of that, but at least you got lucky and things are clear now. Congratulations on that. I hope you'll be inspired to make more work now. I have not seen anything like this from you before. It's truly formidable and stunning!

 

[Hermes2020]

Wow! For someone who has been through the wringer, you managed to crank out something so incredibly positive and happy, AND gorgeous! I'm so sorry you've been through all of that, but at least you got lucky and things are clear now. Congratulations on that. I hope you'll be inspired to make more work now. I have not seen anything like this from you before. It's truly formidable and stunning!

Thank you so much for your kind comments—they mean a lot coming from you! The person I made it for is very happy with it.