Working on a commission is always interesting. It's a chance to experiment, to sometimes create work you may never have considered, and also, it's exciting creating a shared vision with the client. In the case of this painting, my friends approached me with some ideas and photographs to help. They had honeymooned in Majorca, and in the grounds of the hotel, a statue stood depicting a man and woman, both leaning back away from each other, but holding hands as if in a spinning dance. This was to be the main focus of the work, with some other incidental photographs of Majorca to give more information.
I sat sketching ideas for the next two weeks, sending them on to my friends. Nothing seemed to fit. I have three large canvasses in my studio which have a few more ideas that didn't seem to work. Then one evening after my Wife and I had had them round for a meal, I was staring at the canvas I had on the easel, replete with another failed idea, and I covered it in paint and began creating this. Well, at least the groundwork and layout.
One of the drawbacks of working through the night is that on this occasion, the two people I wanted to show the initial painting to were sleeping. So, on the opening night of my exhibition in Hopeman, I brought it along and displayed it on an easel.
They both loved it. Phew! At this point it was more or less done, it just needed refined and polished, so last night, we brought the finished work to them, and had a lovely meal, and drank a toast to the painting and to my two lovely friends.
But what does it all mean? I hear you ask. Ok, the cloud on the left with the blossoming yellow plume, this represents my friend Fiona. Her character, her way of filling a room with love and fun and vivacity. The cloud on the right, this is my friend and Fiona's Husband, Brinny. He is a more contained person, but strong, deep, great integrity and with an unabashed love for Fiona. Two wisps extend to touch from each cloud, as if holding hands, and they seem to rise toward the light, the shared future. Below them lies an island, itself surrounded by a gently undulating ocean, reflecting their warmth and light.
Once I had found this painting, it felt like I had finally laid spinning wheels to the road, It was an incredible energy. Painting it has been a wonderful journey, and I've learned a great deal from creating this piece. Fiona and Brinny are in love with it, and I couldn't have hoped for a better response.