By: Jennifer Prevost
8 minute read
1097 words
Imagine yourself surrounded by a lush garden. Hundreds of flowers, each with its unique shape and color, bloom around you. The aroma is unparalleled—fresh, pure, awakening your senses with every breath. This place is alive, teeming with life—bumblebees hum as they dance from flower to flower, bunnies scurry through the underbrush, and the very essence of nature pulses in the air. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting a warm, golden glow that fills the space.
In this moment, I feel a sense of urgency—to capture the fleeting beauty that surrounds me. My easel is set, the canvas is blank, and my paintbrush is poised, ready to take flight. This is where a new artwork begins. The garden is more than just a subject; it's a place of connection. As I paint, people stroll by, often stopping to talk, to share in the moment, to connect over the scene unfolding before us. I surrender to the moment, letting it guide my brushstrokes, taking me on a journey through color, light, and life.
Discover My Latest Series of Oil Paintings, Garden Studies
Explore the vibrant world of "Garden Studies," my latest series of large oil paintings inspired by the beauty of nature. These works are a celebration of color and texture, brought to life with thick impasto brushstrokes that evoke the energy and movement of the gardens that inspired them. Informed by my plein air paintings, these pieces capture the essence of the moment, blending spontaneity with a bold, expressive style. Let these paintings transport you to a place of vivid beauty and serene contemplation.
Cultivating Meaning: The Deep Symbolism of Gardens
Gardens have long been rich with symbolism, representing various themes across cultures and eras. At their core, gardens symbolize a harmonious balance between nature and human intervention, embodying both the wild and the cultivated. They are often seen as places of refuge, reflection, and growth, mirroring the human soul's journey towards beauty and peace.
In many traditions, gardens are considered sacred spaces, where the physical and spiritual worlds meet. They can symbolize paradise, as seen in the concept of the Garden of Eden, a place of innocence and divine presence. Gardens also represent creativity and personal expression, as they are shaped by the hands and vision of their gardeners. This makes them symbols of transformation, where the gardener’s care can turn chaos into order, reflecting personal or spiritual growth.
Furthermore, gardens can serve as metaphors for the mind, with their enclosed nature symbolizing introspection and contemplation. This is particularly evident in the concept of the Hortus Conclusus, or enclosed garden, which has been associated with purity and the nurturing of the soul in Christian symbolism. Overall, gardens are spaces where culture and nature intersect, offering a peaceful retreat and a canvas for personal and spiritual expression.
Finding Solace in Gardens
For me, painting gardens has been an incredibly relaxing and meditative experience. The process of observing and capturing the intricate patterns and soothing movements within a garden allows me to immerse myself fully in the moment. The repetitive shapes and the gentle sway of plants create a rhythm that is almost hypnotic, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to my work.
A Color Enthusiast's Paradise
As a color enthusiast, gardens provide the perfect canvas to explore and experiment with color relationships in all their glory. The diverse palette of a garden, from the bold reds of blooming roses to the deep greens of lush foliage, offers endless possibilities for vibrant and dynamic compositions. Each painting in this series is a testament to the inherent artistry of gardens themselves.
The Painting Process
The creation of "Garden Studies" has been both spontaneous and invigorating. Many of these paintings were executed quickly, capturing the essence of the moment. Some were painted en plein air at the beautiful Maplelawn Garden, where I could directly engage with the environment. The larger scale paintings were completed in my studio, allowing me to delve deeper into the details and textures.
All of my works in this series feature bold, impasto brushstrokes and vivid colors, reflecting the intensity and energy of the gardens that inspired them. This technique brings a tactile quality to the paintings, inviting viewers to experience the textures and layers of color up close.
A Nod to the Impressionists
In creating this series, I feel a deep connection to the Impressionist artists who were renowned for their garden paintings. Their ability to capture the fleeting beauty of nature with expressive brushwork and vibrant colors has always been a source of inspiration for me. "Garden Studies" is my homage to their legacy, blending my contemporary approach with the timeless charm of Impressionist art.
A Journey into Plein Air: Discovering Community and Creativity
I discovered my love for plein air painting through the Ottawa Plein Air Painters (OPAP), a vibrant community of local artists dedicated to capturing the beauty of our surroundings. This group, which includes hundreds of artists, circulates throughout Ottawa, painting various scenes no matter the weather—rain or shine, summer or winter. Painting alongside such passionate individuals challenged my creative process and pushed me to grow as an artist. The spontaneous nature of plein air painting taught me to embrace the fleeting moments of life, translating them onto canvas with immediacy and emotion. The connections I've formed within this community are invaluable, and I’m deeply grateful for the camaraderie and inspiration that OPAP continues to provide.
Conclusion
Through "Garden Studies," I hope to convey the profound sense of peace and joy that nature brings to our lives. May these paintings inspire you to find solace and beauty in nature's ever-changing canvas.
Thank you for joining me on this artistic journey. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into my creative process.