Meaning of the Painting:

The myth of the Phoenix is very old. The story, as told by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians went like this: The Phoenix was a fabulous mythical Arabian bird. As its' end approached, the Phoenix made a nest of aromatic branches and spices, set it on fire, and was consumed in the flames. From the ashes (according to some sources, from the midst of the flames) miraculously sprang a new Phoenix.

This painting depicts the moment that the Phoenix surrenders to the process of being consumed by the light. The pain and fear are accepted and the process of change embraced. The miracle of transformation happens.

Story Behind the Painting:

This painting started with the desire for orange. I gessoed the canvas with white gesso. I then covered it with a layer of undiluted full bodied white acrylic paint mixed with red and orange to make the canvas a very light orange. Had a memory of looking at a ball of yarn with these colours and they reminded me of a phoenix and I knew that I needed to paint a phoenix. Then the fun part: I got out a squirt bottle and squirted the canvas till it was wet but not pooling. The textures came from working fast in wet on wet with fluid acrylics. Then I worked at developing the drawing of the phoenix, making sure that I kept the initial fast and loose boldness of the initial painting.

Perseus, my African Grey Parrot was the physical inspiration for the Phoenix. Perhaps you can see the likeness when you look at his photo. Oranges are Perseus' favorite fruit so an image of him all in orange seems appropriate.

Physical Details:

This painting is 30" x 36" acrylic on canvas. The canvas is a gallery style and the painting extends around the edges of the canvas so there is no need to frame this work of art.

Here is a picture of the painting in my living room to give you an idea how it would look in your home or office.

What people have said:

" This is beautiful. I have always been fascinated by phoenixes. The heat in this is blistering! " -- Kali

" It is beautiful and has a lovely soft feel to it. And I like its delicacy very much. " -- Nina

" WOW! Judith your colours are radiant!!!! It must be dazzling in real life." -- Leaflin

" The colours are fantastic, and work well to give the phoenix its cool yet fiery character. "

" I like that eye, and his pose is so full of life. Very beautiful. "