I’ve always loved this quote:
There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings. ~Hodding Carter
My senior thesis show in college was a series of paintings that included portraits of my parents and siblings alongside fantasy landscapes filled with flocks of birds in flight. Besides the conceptual beauty of this idea–being grounded by a connection to family and the past while also holding a spirit of adventure, courage and boldness as we grow towards the future–I also love the visual depiction of tree roots going deep into the ground while above-ground, birds fly in a big, open sky.
I made this little oil painting with those themes in mind.
This painting is also a color study of red, yellow, blue–including the three primaries from the color wheel here was a purposeful depiction of balance.
My 21 year-old son and his girlfriend are moving to Colorado and very far from all of their family in Ohio. I love the concept of “roots and wings” and plan to remember it when I am missing him. I love your painting.
Peace,
Heidi
That’s beautiful, Heidi! Thank you for taking the time to send me your comment. Best wishes to your son in his new life, and to you through this transition!