Acrylic on canvas panel with black wooden frame. Inspired by ‘Cherries’, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1873
24”x16” + frame 26”x18”
€1170
Created for ‘Beyond Original, The Portrait Show 11 , a group show at Modern Eden Gallery, with works inspired by famous paintings from the old masters. Available through the gallery Modern Eden, San Francisco, USA
The blue feather is recurring in this piece (part of my series ‘Realms’) as a symbol of hope. Hope amidst coping with loss, sickness and death as life continues in its cycle. The violets were associated with mourning in Victorian times, its beauty and fragility represents the delicate balance between life and death.
The master painter Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was born very near my own birthplace. I have discovered his work years ago and am a great admirer. It has been a joy to take his work as inspiration for the amazing group show ‘Beyond Original-The Portrait Show 11’ with art inspired by famous old paintings.
Eight flying fishes are in various stages of jumping with great speed out of the clear ocean’s water. They prepare to rush up underwater and as they break through the churning water surface they spread their fins and achieve momentum. Single-mindedly they arch their bodies up toward the glow of the full moon hanging in the sky like an orb. Quick and swift, up and up they go, unbounded from their limitations. Heedlessly and chaotically moving toward the greenish light, the sky spangled with stars and the moon, the object of their destination. Light is reflecting and shimmering on their scales and fins, saltwater is spraying all around and they are beautiful in their determination.
1st Place Cover Artist and prize, Apéro Catalogue October 2018 “Color”. Apéro Catalogue October 2018 “Color” available at http://www.showapero.com/2018.html
Curator review “My Underwater Love”:
Painted with great honesty in a detailed and direct manner, artist Saskia Huitema has constructed a delicate portrait of intimate romanticism. This imaginative work weaves organic elements of warm and cool hues throughout the entire piece creating equity beneath a veil of emotion. The poetic title most certainly parallels those ‘layers’ of longing and desire, skilfully expressed in her tender pose and melancholy eyes. -E.E. Jacks
A young girl dressed in black is sitting on a rocky beach. She clasps herself as if trying to find some solace. Her heart seems heavy and her face betrays her emotional turmoil. She is looking down at three broken eggs and seems utterly unaware of her surroundings. She is accompanied by a lonesome puffin with a sad look on its face. There are two whole eggs ready to hatch behind her, but she doesn’t see them. Some puffins are in flight away from her, flying in the direction of a house on the other side of the inlet. Perhaps flying toward richer grounds or a safe haven? Prospects seem bleak, but if you cut your losses, there can be a new start.