Tree (which appears earlier on this blog)

The picture third from the top shows the first of my paintings of the "lattice" theme and illustrates how the painting looks at present. An earlier incarnation of the painting was featured in a previous post. I removed the lattice element, and now the composition focuses more on the tree itself. The pictures immediately above and below it show details of the painting (including a nest of baby birds that are based on my young daughter's drawings).

I also borrowed imagery from what might seem an unlikely source: from Gerard David's Wedding Feast at Cana.

In David's painting -- in the upper right corner -- a tapestry hangs behind the bride: some details of that floral tapestry have become the fruit and flowers in my tree. My painting borrows from numerous other sources as well. Each borrowing probably steals meaning as well as imagery.