I made the first Tulip painting in response to the pandemic and the polarizing political climate. Just as I was, the tulips were exasperated, divided and distressed. I used only red, white and blue, a palette which I have taken up in recent months. Red breathed and cried while blue distanced and drained.
I made the second Tulip painting last week following the announcement of the 2020 election results. In dialogue with my previous painting, I introduced the third primary color, yellow, which made the full range of colors possible.
For the flowers, I used only secondary colors, which are only possible by mixing primary colors. The introduction of yellow and emphasis on secondary colors reflects the hope for a coming together and a return to compassion. I also changed the perspective of the composition, grouping the tulips together and bringing the tulips closer to the viewer.
Cold and distant, Tulips in October alerts to something unseen. Calm and alive,Tulips in November embraces and rises. Two very different paintings of the same subject with a little bit of time in between.
Tulips in November
2020
Acrylic on canvas
40 x 30 inches