Saturday, February 06, 2010

Illustration Friday: Muddy Start


In Egyptian art, many royal representatives were depicted holding sacred lotuses, members of the water lily family, and the gods were also associated with water lilies. In Buddhism, the lotus is an important symbol of enlightenment because it illustrates beauty rising through mud and water to bloom. Because many species tightly furl their blossoms at light, the lotus is also a symbol of opening to the light.

The roots of water lilies are embedded in the mud, well below the water line. The mud keeps the roots moist and provides a source of nutrition, while richly oxygenated water seeps into the roots.


I love the analogy of rising above muddy beginnings and blooming in spite of it all!
The lillies and stems were painted a base color and then finished with colored pencils. The lily pads are exposed patterned paper.

24 comments:

  1. I had no idea! What great information to go with your lovely water lilies.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What sort of paper did you use here? I was sure at first this was fabric not paper. Wow.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lo-your art makes lurking such a joy! Still hiding here in the mud for awhile, but today's piece makes me believe there may be a flower at the end of it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Every thing you touch has such a certain elegance and magic about it... I love those lily pads!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like reading some of the thought that goes before the painting. Quite good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love lotus and I am working on one right now. Lotus is our national flower and almost all goddess' have lotus in their hand for the very same reason u mentioned and it also refers to purity and spiritual power. Though rooted in the mud but completely uncontaminated by it the lotus represents spiritual perfection and also authority.

    I am too glad to see it done so beautifully:)

    Happy Weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the title...Muddy Start. And yet, the beauty that comes from the mud is unparallelled in my book. Your painting is amazing...truly. And thanks for the info about the water lilies!

    ReplyDelete
  8. How very creative, Lolo - very effective with the patterned background! Love this one.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow Wow Wow!!!!
    Everything about it is so beautiful!
    Just love it!
    But I guess I always say that, but it is always true!

    Have a nice Sunday!
    ♥♥♥
    >M<

    ReplyDelete
  10. I was wondering what you would do and this is simply stunning the way you combined these different mediums, it is lush and beautiful! These happen to be subjects and ideas i love and you have captured a beautiful moment in time ;) may i ask how you acheived this unique pattern?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love how you combine paint with textured paper - you are so creative! I still haven't tried any collage type things - I think I'm chicken.

    ReplyDelete
  12. i love the textured look here too. i like the analogy mmm that's me.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love the patterned leaves and your lovely rich colours, the touch of pink is just right.

    ReplyDelete
  14. well captured - beautiful illustration

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lovely. there used to be a large pond of water lilies I think at Heritage Plantation and also the Holly reservation on Cape cod. both.

    ReplyDelete
  16. damn i'm enjoying this. reminds me of a richly woven tapestry. just wonder what size is it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is sooo beautiful, the texture and depth of color are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've loved catching up with your work now that we're home again. By the way, have just become a volunteer for Spaniel Rescue Scotland, so will be fostering soon!

    ReplyDelete