Midnight Lily Painting

"Midnight Lily" 2014. Acrylic on canvas (painting) 40.0625" H x 40.8125" W (101.76 x 103.66 cm) / Organic Realism (style) "Midnight Lily" marks a move from the realm of works on paper (pastels, charcoal, and pencil drawings) to the realm of acrylic on canvas for Jay Worth Allen's signature calla lilies. This remarkable work depicts an extreme close-up of an elegant white calla lily, complete with the lily's mighty spadix crowned by the flower's bellowing flute. True to his style, he accomplished this awe-inspiring work by exploring shades, shapes, and hues reminiscent to black and white film photography, using black and white acrylic paint, as he says, "to produce color." Technically brilliant, "Midnight Lily's" depth was created by gracefully layering large multiple brush strokes onto the canvas, which produced an unintentional faint allusion to hammered metal, adding even more dimension to this powerful work. Anyone who knows the work of J. ("Jay") Worth Allen, knows his calla lilies. For many years, his calla lilies have brought awe and wonder, an elegant beauty transcending the medium of pastel on watercolor to that of master works. Classically trained, his first expertise (and caveat for genius) has always been drawing--which is true of all masters. Drawing is the foundation of all visual art, no matter the medium, style, or eventual finished product. It is the foundation for any and all artistic practice. Jay Worth Allen is no different; and, is in fact, an exemplary example of this principle at work. [It has been a well established fact for centuries, that drawings and other monochrome works (Sepia, Grisaille, etc.) betray the hand of a less talented craftsman more easily than a fully colored painting. Hence, early patrons seeking a painter to commission would have prospective artists submit preliminary drawings to ensure commissioning a truly masterful painter.] The name "calla" is an ancient word derived from Koine Greek, kalos, meaning beautiful, good (good that inspires or motivates others to embrace what is lovely, beautiful, and praiseworthy). Not surprisingly, the glorious calla lily has been the muse of artists for centuries, incorporated into Christendom iconography for as long as artists have been depicting the Virgin Mary and the annunciation (the announcement of the Incarnation by the angel Gabriel to Mary). The calla lily is also associated with holiness, faith, and purity. In fact, during the 19th century's Victorian period of "the language of flowers," the calla lily came to symbolize Jesus' resurrection and has been used ever since in many Christian Easter services. "Midnight Lily's" centerpiece, the spadix, resembles a virulent phallic and speaks to virility, fertility, and life. The elegant flute-shaped flower symbolizes youth and rebirth. The white color naturally speaks to purity and innocence, which is why many wedding celebrations incorporate white calla lilies, being traditional symbols of divinity, marital bliss and true devotion. These enigmatic flowers are used in any occasion that involves major transitions, rebirths, and new beginnings. Works in Jay Worth Allen's Calla Lily series are in public and private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad. As with the other pieces in this collection, the significance of this piece is profound. An exquisite technical accomplishment, this work epitomizes the artist's move into a deeper plane into the fons et origo which the he paints -- free-flowing, unabashed creativity, as if God, himself, were sharing the moment with the viewer. Several original drawings (works on paper) and studies for this painting reside in the artist's private collection. Please visit Jay Worth Allen's profile for more information, and to view other works currently being offered through Saatchi Art. We appreciate and encourage any comments. Thank you. Regarding shipping: This work will be shipped in accordance to Saatchi Art's shipping guidelines (removed from its stretcher, rolled and shipped in a professional mailing tube). Otherwise, please contact the artist to discuss other shipping methods (which may possibly incur additional shipping costs).

Painting:Acrylic on Canvas

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:40.9 W x 40.1 H x 1.8 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.