Field Thistle

24 x 36

This interpretation presents the flower as gesturing and anthropomorphic. The effect is  whimsical and lighthearted like a woman showing off her beautiful hair.

Parenting  

24 x 48

The male thistle is a large blossom looking harried and resigned. The female is an anthropomorphized branch exercising tough love with the child below. The patterns that  are rhythmic and unified evoke feelings linked to love. The interlocking forms portray a family unit.

The Mother of all Thistles

24 x 36

This rendering is documentary in addition to being symbolic. Each creature that feeds upon the thistle has an attitude. The bee looks almost sheepish as it grazes on the blossom. Pointed protrusions present no barrier. Branches are purposefully arm-like and seem to be both warding off and welcoming. I paid especial attention to form in Nature and took a delight in detail. This interpretation made me realize that I could continue to represent thistles in any number of styles.

                  Thistle Family                              24 x 36

This thistle is more imaginative and symbolic but still suggest something human. The dark background with bright vertical lines is a moody context for the idea of striving against the odds.

                  Monster Thistle                                      16 x 20

I consider this painting one of two of the thistle that is surreal in content.  It is shown at an angle from below and looks menacing because of its leaves.

This enlarged painting of the thistle flower is not as ominous as its counterpart. It is painted to show the thistle from above.