Labels

tree of life


 




As I was browsing through a recent copy of Country LivingUK magazine, my eye fell upon Francesca Kaye's vibrant handpainted stoneware platter. Eager to learn more about this artist I googled her and found her Instagram page, where I saw her version of the Mexican Tree-of-life candelabra's I knew so well from my youth. All of a sudden an old love was rekindled: Mexican tree-of-life candelabra's my dad used to bring back from businesstrips as presents for my mother. As I child I had always loved these cheerful candle holders and whilst we were tidying up our parents' home after their deaths last year, I took the objects back to my home. Years ago they had already inspired the countless oil on panel tree-of-life paintings I then made. Now I paint with my watery inks on hand-made papers and am especially fascinated by the graphic quality of the 'backsides' of the trees, reminding me of the skeleton trees in our garden and nearby Lingebos during Winter. I have fallen in love all over again......



Email Post
Labels:
Hi, I'm an artist. ' Art might simply be the awareness of how we might create self. That we do. What happens, and then, what we do about it. The story. And the expression of that.' Jude Hill - Spirit Cloth [with kind permission]

Comments

Marti said…
Saskia, you have captured the joyful essence of these candelabras with your fine paintings. Years ago I watched a documentary on Christmas in Texas and they featured an artist who made tree of life candelabras. The artist spoke Spanish as she explained her process ( I understood her of course but subtitles were also provided.) She spoke of a divine spirit that she felt whenever her hands touched the clay. Her hands were magical and she snipped bits of clay here and there and as if by magic, they became leaves, blossoms, birds and people, etc.

When we moved to Texas, our first Christmas we went to San Antonio to a big mercado (market) and I bought a colorful, joyful tree of life candelabra. It is the color that first draws you in and then the shape. When lit with candles, the creatures come alive. I ended up giving it to one of my daughters but now I think, it is time fo find another.
21 May 2022 at 20:22
Saskia said…
Marti, what a lovely piece of family lore and yes I agree you should get another one, they bring such joy into the house.
22 May 2022 at 12:58
Saskia said…
thank you Mo, I feel as if I'm truly painting again:)
back in my happy place
22 May 2022 at 12:59
Liz A said…
now I'll be looking for one, too
22 May 2022 at 13:33
Saskia said…
hahahahaha Liz;-)
good luck!
22 May 2022 at 17:57
Nancy said…
Saskia~ These works both simple & complex at the same time to me...the shape & the details. Really wonderful! You always surprise me with something new. xo
22 May 2022 at 19:54
Saskia said…
spot on Nancy, there is a lot happening even though they seem simple, haha, I surprise myself as well, which is the only way to keep going;-)
22 May 2022 at 20:07
jude said…
i love this...
30 May 2022 at 18:48
Saskia said…
hey Jude, I am really chuffed you like this, xx
31 May 2022 at 11:17
Post a Comment

tungsten

tungsten

Popular Posts