This was a custom request from a client with the most wonderful story...
Alka is a kind and spirited woman full of her own creativity, who shared her personal history with me to inspire this artwork.
Alka lost her son when he was around my age. He was an artist too. She told me about a memory she had, building a stone wishing well with her son, Simon. A mourning dove had made a nest in it. While they built the well, the dove would visit, sometimes even landing on her hand. She told me about this cool vintage jacket she has had since the 70s, and that she'd like to have something to commemorate this memory.
As such, I painted a background to match the rough vintage denim look with hints of silver. The pattern is a design created by another artist of the lupin flower, which surrounded the well that Alka and Simon built together, also painted in silver so that it can shine with with sun; a warm hug from above. As you may see to the left side of the image above, the stone well is subtly featured within the lupin pattern.
Alka's hand holds up this dove, that sits with her although it is free. It is light, she hardly need to bear its weight. Alka had this beautiful bird visit her while she worked on the well with her son. This was a meaningful encounter. In my experience, animals have visited at specific times of our lives for a reason, as a gift, a messenger. As such, in the painting, it is looking at her. Mourning doves have been known to represent peace, safety, forgiveness, release, and encourage healing after one lets go; moving on, or forward. A visit is said to simply let you know that your prayers are being heard and answered by an angel watching over you.
The jewelry was meant for personalization of the hand, however, perhaps it was always meant to be, as Alka makes jewellery with all types of valuable crystals and gemstones to heal herself, as well as her loved ones.
It has been an honour to share this experience with you, Alka! You are going to look amazing in this painted jean jacket. 🎨
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