4ft X 4ft
Breathe' is a work of hope. The last year and a half have been trying times. Many have been altered forever by what has happened to every human family on the planet. No-one has been unaffected in one way or another.
The brief and the concept of New Beginnings was initially at odds with what was happening in everyday life - mounting deaths, lack of governmental leadership, and yet more lockdowns - it was hard to see beyond the here and now and visualise a glowing future. Coupled with my natural tendency to paint in monochrome or black and white, it was rather a challenge to think in colour and hope!
The female in my painting represents no-one in particular. She is 'every woman'. I chose the title 'Breathe' as the very air that we have been inhaling and exhaling has taken on such potency. It has the power to kill, maim or damage in such a way that hasn't been seen in our lifetime in a global context. A virus, that we cannot see has given cause to view our fellow man as the carrier of plague, to dance around each other in the supermarket aisle and run from every cough and sneeze as if our lives truly depend on getting to fresh and clean air.
My female is the survivor, the spreader of life. She holds blue forget me nots - the flower of remembrance for all those gone from our lives. The dandelion seeds symbolise new life, new futures, wafting on the breeze, establishing new life and new roots. The Ouroboros is a self swallowing snake that is said to represent eternity and the circle of life in mythology.
'Breathe' is an oil painting, 48" x 48" painted on board.
Deborah Tilley - Breathe
Deborah Tilley is portrait painter and photographer who lives and works in Pembrokeshire. After many years working in a laboratory environment she now focuses doing what she loves most and divides her time between oil painting in her little studio and walking the hills and coast with her camera.
Her work has grown increasingly in size over the years and has evolved from being predominantly monochrome to being more colourful in recent times. Always drawn to 'characterful' faces in the past she has now begun to paint more beauty. 'The Face' and portraiture, whether in painting or photography, has been an enduring interest. The photographer Alfred Stieglitz believed that portraiture would become obsolete in the 20th century. However, time has proved him wrong - there is still a demand for both, which is fortuitous for those who couldn't decide on which genre to concentrate!
Deborah has worked to commission and her portraits of Dylan Thomas, amongst others, featured in her 2014 exhibition at Oriel y Parc, St David's to coincide with the centenary of the famous author's birth. Her work can be seen on her Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/lonecrowgallery/ and her photographic landscape original prints are currently on display at The Waterfront Gallery at Milford Marina.
Artwork is painted onto 9mm thick plywood with a 2inch black frame, suitable for indoor display & will last for around 2 year’s outside, much longer if in a sheltered position, the artwork is varnished & robust.
Free Pembrokeshire delivery on all orders over £200 (in time for Xmas if ordered before the 20th December)
Collection from Haverhub, Haverfordwest, Delivery available on request.