Beirut Memories: A Journey Through Art
Have you ever come across something and found yourself transported back in time?
Yep.
That’s what happens to me when I look at this still life painting. It was created with an object I purchased in Beirut, Lebanon, so long ago, during my travels in more peaceful times. (Pan Am, gone but not forgotten!)
Beirut Memories: Copper Bowl With Fruit, was completed only recently.
You might ask, “What took ya so long?”
Like I often say, “There’s a story to that!”
In this case, as many of you know, my life took a turn in the early 90’s when I became a single mom. Painting took a back-seat to other endeavors that helped pay the bills. However, I kept several unfinished paintings, and this is one that spent all that time in a closet.
It’s oil on canvas and measures 20" x 16”. At the center of this work is that copper bowl I filled with a selection of fruits. I liked the vibrant colors and how they reflected off the metal.
I found the dusty colored wild flowers in a field close to my house; the wind gently blowing the delicate, airy stalks. Couldn’t resist! I gathered some up, and plunked them in a vase. I like that they seem to be suspended in motion.
In the foreground, I placed a partially peeled apple and a knife, because I was hungry and decided to take a photo of the scene and eat the apple for lunch! It suggests a moment frozen in time…
Beirut Memories: Copper Bowl With Fruit reminds me of sweet memories of my travels in the Middle East during more peaceful times. I was captivated by the mid-east cuisine, the ancient cities that whisper stories of the past, and the antiques with their rustic charm.
These elements came together, influencing this piece—particularly the copper bowl, which was once a cherished possession. Having lived in six countries and many cities, the bowl was lost amidst my numerous moves. Yet, its memory remains, and it forms the heart of this piece.
Finishing this painting allowed me to reminisce about those memories and recall my admiration for the cultural essence of Beirut. It was a beautiful, bustling city, at one time referred to as the San Francisco of the Mid-East!
(I had hoped to visit, now that I’m traveling again, but that seems unlikely.)
So, this isn’t just a still life painting. For me, it’s a vessel of nostalgia that carries the experiences and emotions from another cherished chapter of my life.
I hope this piece invites you to ponder your own cherished objects and the stories they hold.
Now let me ask: Do you have an object that ‘takes you back…’ ? I’d love to hear about it! Please share in comments below.
Also, if you’d like more news of the next un-veiling of one of my paintings, be sure to join my email Collector’s List. You’ll get first dibs of what’s coming up next. (I’ve got three more paintings in the process…) 😊
Cheers,
Candy
