In this collage, the bright red poppy is the most striking element. But the yellow butterfly also stands out greatly against the black background. Between these important elements, sprites meander. They are green, blue and purple. The sprites are thin enough not to be distracting; rather, they support the movement of the butterfly and the poppy.
The red of the poppy in nature is most intense at dusk. I tried to capture that intense color in this work. The butterfly is there to bring balance to the image. Without the butterfly, the poppy seems top-heavy, as if it is going to topple over. Now, on the contrary, the two seem to align themselves festively upward.
The poppy is not only a beautiful flower, it also symbolizes comfort. This is because after World War I, the battlefields of northern France were colored red with poppies. The painful losses were shaped by this delicate but very tough flower.
Since about 1974, I have been involved almost daily in photography, drawing (charcoal, graphite, conté, chalk, ink), painting, watercolour and/or collage making. In all these branches of visual work, I have tried a lot, found my own way, but.. Read more…