"The Nightingale and the Rose" Watercolor and Ink on paper 2011 - SOLD
"Nighttime has long since been a time of flourishing creation for artists, poets and musicians. When the moon is high in the sky and the rest of the world rests, the mind of the artist awakens, and magic ensues. Wether burning the midnight oil or lucidly dreaming, there is a powerful connection between the conscious and non-conscious mind that crystalizes under the stars. In the dark we focus our attention and awareness and begin to see what is concealed by the light of the day. 'Nocturne' exhibits a collection of paintings and sculptures that are inspired by and evocative of the night. showcases a selection of artists from southern California and abroad, each compelled by the late night air to delve into their imaginations and pay homage to nocturnal creativity."-Yelley
This group of paintings was created for an art exhibit in Vista, California called "Nocturne" that was themed around the magic and mystery of the night. This particular painting titled "The Nightingale and the Rose" was inspired by an Oscar Wilde Poem of the same name - in the poem, a nightingale is called on to help a student profess his love with a single red rose. The nightingale, being a true romantic searched high and low in the garden for a red rose but there were only white. To turn the rose red, it impales itself onto a thorn and sings it's last song to the moon to stain the rose a beautiful red color, thus sacrificing it's own life for the cause of true love.
"be happy; you shall have your red rose. I will build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with my own heart's-blood. All that I ask of you in return is that you will be a true lover, for Love is wiser than Philosophy, though she is wise, and mightier than Power, though he is mighty. Flame- coloured are his wings, and coloured like flame is his body. His lips are sweet as honey, and his breath is like frankincense." - Wilde
Unfortunately, like most martyrs, the nightingale's sacrifice was for nothing, because the woman turns down the rose because it doesn't match her dress, and frankly the bitch wants jewels a lowly student cannot afford.... so the student curses love and a silly useless fantasy in a world when only reason should guide us.
Flyer cover art by Christy Pepper Dawson, Layout by Yelley
