Flowers are following me around this summer
‘Into the Forest of Flowers’ ©Kris Cahill 2023, acrylic on paper, 9” x 12”; Find it here in my shop
Yes, I’ve got flowers on the brain right now.
It’s summer and they’re growing everywhere, which all on its own is a miraculous gift from the earth. But also, I’m seeing this whole series of flower pieces as a statement, in a way, on having permission to show up as oneself. To glow and shine as colorfully and brightly as we choose.
Which is kind of the point, in my view. Who else are you going to be or show up being, if not you? But so often, on the way to becoming, and allowing ourselves to be however and whomever we want, we run into judgments, resistance, and the fear of others. We might not feel safe enough to be seen, and so we blend in, we hide.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve done this a few times in my life.
If someone is upset by you or me expressing ourselves in a certain way, one we choose, that is their problem, not ours. However, if we are sensitive or vulnerable to the criticism, and particularly if one is being bullied as a young or marginalized person, it can be painful or invalidating to stand out and be seen as the flower we choose to be.
So I’m making a series of paintings about how flowers don’t need to compete with each other to be seen. Each one is beautiful, has a reason for existing, and is exactly as it needs to be.
This is also true for each of us, even when we forget we can have this too.
‘Into the Forest of Flowers’ photographed on a white background.
This piece is part of the ‘Flower Party’ series. See more paintings in my shop.
The painting featured above is called ‘Into the Forest of Flowers’. Here is its story:
Here we are, at the entrance to the Flower Forest. Step this way please, the flowers are present, and ready to greet you. You may want to bring something along to give back to the flowers here today - a smile, acknowledgment, or compliment will do nicely.
The flowers in this forest are earthy, and the whole place smells of nature, earth, and natural flower scents. Each beautiful bloom you pass is unique. Simply being present in this space is healing.
View and purchase this painting here.
