Barbara F. Warden

May 2021

 

In Greek mythology and the folklore of other cultures, the Phoenix is a unique bird that lives for centuries. As its death approaches, it is burned by fire, ignited by the sun, and rises again from its ashes to be reborn.

 

For a long time, I have thought about the concept of renewal. As springtime approached, I marveled at the return of flowers, leaves, and warmth this year. So, I decided to use the Phoenix as a symbol of renewal after 2020, a trial by fire for millions of Americans and people worldwide. Perhaps 2021 foretells a brighter future when the bird flies from the dark ashes and rises toward the light. It is a series of paintings that I want to continue as the year evolves.

 

As a painter, my natural palette includes the bold colors of yellow, red, orange, and black. Recently I have introduced purple, blue, and green to find other ways to animate the surface of my paintings. I paint on heavy Arches paper.