Submerged flowers - Arise Print

Part of my new project for 2024, called Transience, where I am exploring the circle of life and imperfect beauty through plants, by attempting to capture the fleeting, transcient moments in time/life using the 4 elements. For each flower or plant I delve into its history, associated Folklore and myths, meanings and uses to build up a personality of the flower. I then create images based on some of the information, using the psychology and meanings of colours to support the story, as well as other techniques such as different applications of liquid mediums or smoke etc These are Dried Globe thistles ( Echinops) which I had saved for a still life project. The name is derived from a Greek word for Hedgehogs They are an ancient Celtic symbol of noble character and also symbolise independence, strength, perseverence, pride and protection. They are linked to thistles in folklore and were known as the flower of the sun or herb of the witch. The French believed that witches could not look into the sun. As the Globe thistle stands strong and proud in the sunlight, they used this flower as an icon of the sun, sent to protect from harm and evil. In Russia the flower heads were placed under childrens pillows to prevent nightmares. I used Orange with this as it is thought to bring a calming balance and is obvioulsly linked to the sun. Orange is linked with spiritual power, fire of spirit, purification and is uplifting which seems appropriate for this flower. The colour brown is linked with earth, grounding, stability and protection. Whilst white is for purity, illumination, good and harmony