'Persistence'- Echinacea garden Painting

Title:          Persistence

Size:          61x91cm (24"x35") 0n deep profile canvas

Medium:  Oil on Canvas

About this painting:

Why this title? Well, this painting was a true experience of determination. It nearly got put aside a dozen times but my stubbornness kept me going. 
Those who know me better, know that I have a degenerative neurological condition which causes me constant pain, but I lose myself in my art & find it the best painkiller available..
While working on this painting suffered an intense episode which left my hands in agony & struggling with fine motor skills, combined with blurry vision & muscle weakness. 

Every time I tried to paint I felt as if the results looked like a toddlers scrawl. The utter fear of losing the thing I love most made me feel really wobbly, but each morning I’d come back to the canvas & tried to steer it in the right direction. Progress was slow, but eventually persistence won & the spired of Russian sage & echinacea worked their magic & grew across the canvas in delicate tones.

Where is the positive in this take? Well, I guess it’s that sometimes you just have to keep going, whatever the thing trying to hold you back. Tapping in to that which brings you joy & creativity itself release endorphins & serotonin, alleviating pain & creating well-being. 

Finding the balance between looking after yourself & not giving in to physical adversity can be a tricky game. I just try to think about people much worse off & be grateful for what I can do. Being persistent in carrying on creates resilience & keeps you going & achieving things, even if slowly.

'Persistence' carries with it subtle tones of silvery lilacs & pinks, creating a gentle, relaxing atmosphere in the space in which it hangs.