ADVENTURE
This is a 2 x 1m diptych oil on linen sprinkled with 10c natural gemstone diamonds and dusted with 10k gold leaf.
This painting, the first in a series, drawing its inspiration from the upper, middle, and lower cornishes of the French Riviera. The official titles are the Grande Corniche, Moyenne Corniche, and Corniche Inférieure, which refers to the cliff roads that run from Menton to Nice.
These roads exude a sense of Adventure. Their breathtaking beauty has captivated many, including the creators of James Bond movies and Audrey Hepburn's 'To Catch a Thief '. However, their allure is not without peril, as tragically demonstrated by Grace Kelly's fatal accident on the upper Cornish French Riviera.
I am not alone in being amazed and inspired by these beautiful roads. Think of the James Bond movies and Audrey Hepburn's 'To Catch a Thief'. Sadly, as well as being stunning to look at, they are also dangerous to drive on, as Grace Kelly died while driving along the upper Cornish.
‘Adventure’ took 12 months to finish, and it was an adventure; it moved studios three times and has been great fun painting. Some people go on adventures, but I see my life as an adventure. Each day I wake up is an adventure. If it is raining, I am grateful for the rain that will bring the flowers and fragrance in spring. If I am tired, I appreciate that I have to rest and take time for myself, eat nourishing food, and sleep — a time for recharging and absorbing. When things appear to go wrong, it is only temporary, and there is usually a lesson there to learn, it will pass.
At the heart of the painting is a ladder, its steps adorned with gold leaf, symbolising a journey towards the sky and sun, a stairway to heaven. The paths branch out into a world of floating sailboats on sparkling seas, inspired by the Cote d’Azur, and ladders leading to diamond-dusted rainbows. Above, birds feathered with light-reflecting diamond circles, adding to the sense of adventure. This painting is a testament to the belief that life is an adventure if we have the courage and determination to follow our intuitions and listen to our inner selves.
The teachings of Neville Goddard inspire me. In one of his lectures, he called the ‘The coin of heaven.’ He encourages you to create a garden in your mind. A garden full of trees and beautiful images, each one of these trees has to be pruned and cared for, and the trees are metaphors for people. The more loving, kind thoughts we have for others, the more we will see these qualities in others. By listening to and responding to the things that make you happy slowly, your world will become an adventure you have designed through your thoughts. Have fun, and have an ADVENTURE.
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