Paintings!

Roots and Wings

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.

Roots and Wings. 10″ x 8″, Oil on Canvas, © Cedar Lee 2013

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.

 

Cedar Lee

View Comments

  • 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!

Recent Posts

4 Colorful Mini Paintings of Nature in Portland, OR

Here are four colorful mini paintings inspired by Portland, Oregon's nature scenes. This small painting,…

2 hours ago

Two Birch Forest Paintings

One of my dear collectors recently requested a custom painting featuring paper birch trees. She…

1 week ago

Winter Redwoods | California Forest Art

This misty painting of an old-growth redwood forest in Northern California is called "Winter Redwoods."…

4 weeks ago

Winding Upwards | Painting of Tall Tree in the Sky

This tall and narrow painting, titled "Winding Upwards" depicts a tall and twisty tree reaching…

1 month ago

Summer’s End | September Sunflower Painting

This painting, titled Summer's End, celebrates the change of seasons with the image of the…

2 months ago

Spring Puddles | Portland Oregon Art

This painting, inspired by the beautiful streets of Portland, Oregon in the spring, is 30"…

2 months ago

This website uses cookies.