The story behind my painting, “NEW SEASONS”

Hi Friends!

I hope you are all well and that you have had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.

As I have been thinking about writing another blog, I decided it would be good to share with you the making of one of my earlier acrylic paintings created in March, this  year called “NEW SEASONS”.  It was done during the start of my time being tutored on the subject of abstact art.  I had looked at various styles of painting including Bauhaus art, Roy Lichtenstein’s art, and some of Sonia Delauney’s paintings of the 1960’s.  I particularly loved her use of bright, bold, primary colours and her geometric shapes, and felt inspired to create my own “Sonia Delauney” inspired painting incorporating similar styles of geometric shapes and concentric circles.

 As I look back to my notes of when I painted this piece, I recall starting with a quick sketch using pencil and watercolour.  I submitted it to my mentor at the time, and asked if I could recreate it in an A2 size, for my final art project, using acrylic paint.

 I was listening to worship music at the time of painting and had a very special and emotional, spiritual encounter with the Holy Spirit.  I had to stop and take a few moments as the Lord ministered to me.  Sonia’s Delauney’s style of art is reminiscent of the art in the 1970’s which is a very nostalgic time for me - a time when I was very young, and that style of art influenced my childhood through TV, picture books and school.  I felt the Lord was speaking to me in that He was “redeeming the time, and bringing back to me the joy of my childhood!”  Now, this can mean many things to many people, and I don’t mean to belittle challenges and traumatic experiences others have had, but nevertheless, for me I believe that nothing is lost with God.  He is the Healer and Redeemer and nothing is impossible for Him, as He can do all things and make all things new.  During the age of 10-12 I had a very challenging period where I was being bullied at school, as well as other difficult situations happening, and this had a knock-on-effect on my art and creativity.  Of course, forgiveness was and always is an important issue to address, and sometimes it has to be repeatedly done and decided on, even if we don’t want to.  Thankfully, my art started to re-emerge again around the age of 14 as, I believe, that one’s creativity cannot stay buried or hidden, but must find a way out eventually.

 So that morning of 23rd March 2024, as I did the quick sketch and colourways, it was a very healing time for me believing that the Lord was indeed “redeeming the time, and bringing back to me the joy of my childhood!”

As I finished my sketch I then started on my final piece recreating the big, bold, geometric shapes and concentric circles I had previously planned.  I had chosen vivid acrylic colours, but changed some of them as I went along, according to what I felt instinctively.  At the end I decided that it was appropriate to leave some key areas white as I finished the painting, and I was more than happy with the final outcome as I submitted my painting for critique.

My initial thought was to call this painting “YOUNG VALERIE”, but I later decided that although this piece was abstract, it was also prophetic and that it was symbolic of the new seasons ahead of me.  So, as I always pray about the names of my paintings, I felt the name “NEW SEASONS” was perfect for this piece.  I hope that it will also resonate with my viewers that, no matter what they have been through, or are going through, that God has good plans for them with bright, new seasons ahead. One of my favourite Bible verses Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

As we all look forward to the new year of 2025, and all that it has in store for us and our families, I’d like to remember that even in times of uncertainty and challenges, we can always put our hope in the one who came into the world to be a sacrifice for all, and to bring us peace, love and redemption; our precious Lord Jesus, the very reason for the Christmas Season!

Wishing all my dear friends a very blessed 2025; full of new seasons of joy, health and prosperity!