Painted Flowers for a Friend

My dear friend Julie was also my roommate in college and my domestic partner on Facebook for years, something that always made me smile.  I could write an entry about all our special times and laughs and cries together, but most of it wouldn't make sense to anyone other than us.  We watched ghost shows, had a fish named Puppy, helped each other through some of the stupidest decisions of our young lives, and slept a mere foot apart.  That bond is intense.
When we first moved into our Berks apartment near campus, Julie and I were trying to decide what art to hang on the wall.  Referencing a quick painting I had done of a marigold, she decided that was what she wanted on our walls and that I should make more paintings to go along with it.  While I never got around to it, I always remembered that moment especially when beginning to truly invest in and share my visual art.  Julie is one of those rare gifts of a friend who never ceases to believe in me chasing my dreams and true purpose, whose well of pride never depletes, and whose belief in me being talented can always be counted on.  As an artist it is something I never want to take for granted.

As a present this Christmas I created the paintings I meant to years ago.  I painted these with acrylic and palette knife.  Each type of flower represents a different aspect of Julie and her wonderful character.  Thank you wonderful lady for the inspiration :)