Confession

I have just completed a second version of oak swirl. The first was sold at the National Botanic Garden of Wales Orchid Show. www.botanicgarden.wales

Thank you for buying it.

I have made another version because I wanted to explore its meaning a little further.

When I made the fist painting - it was based on a swirl of leaves and oak galls on a topiary oak in my garden. In making the painting I confess I saw sexuality in its forms. This got me thinking about my own sexuality and the power of the sexual drive within us. This is something that has challenged me all my life - and instead of diminishing as I thought it would - it remains the same - and thereby causes me trouble of mind.

Now if this is too much information - please could you forgive me - but it is something I wish to deal with - and writing this helps.

This second version is more overt - It reminds me of the Biblical story of the beginning of our troubles - that of Adam and Eve and the drive to know not just good but also evil - to have the same knowledge as God - trouble is knowing both - experiencing both - being both is the curse !

Now I do not believe that sexual pleasure is evil - not by any means - but if it is pursued in a selfish way without love and tenderness and respect for the other soul then it becomes empty in my view. That is all good you may say but what about its powerful drive - well therein lies the struggle, and I am sure I will struggle with it for a while yet.

I hope this explains the painting - so no it is not just about oak leaves !

PS - The oak gall wasp is a stand in for the serpent - the sting - the fly in the ointment.

The heavenly and the earthly

This burning yearning comes and goes.
In its last throes
It convulses repulses and dies.

The curse is our knowledge
Carnal and spiritual
The two entwined in an earthly struggle.

Find love and the curse dies.


APOLOGIES TO ALL

Paul.