Wishfulfilling Tree with Auspicious Offerings

Wishfulfilling Tree with Auspicious Offerings- oil on canvas , 183 x 153 cm, 2005

Tree Spirits (detail)

Although I completed this painting in 2005, it still remains one of my favourite pieces and I have managed to hold onto it even though it was hanging on a collector's wall for a few weeks once but I decided to withdraw the sale (which was quite a tough decision) as I couldn't imagine it being anywhere other than with me. It is like that with some paintings. The tree represents knowledge and wisdom, strength and growth while the 7 exquisite blue lotus flowers symbolise the victory of the spirit over wisdom, intelligence and knowledge. They also represent the perfection of nature, beauty, purity and spiritual awakening. I had just come back from Thailand when I painted this, having been inspired by their reverence of the tree which graces many a temple courtyard. They lovingly wrap the trunks with exotic material and place all manner of deities at the base. The deities in this painting are all personal to me. Ganesh of course is a well loved Hindu deity, who symbolises the Remover of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. The Blue Angel (a fictional character) is followed by the Buddha in seated meditation, a pencil drawing of a cat-bear with flying fat angels above his head, a Victorian wooden rabbit with a dog which belonged to my Grandmother, and Little Tree (another fictional character) with a mass of hair made from grass. The tiger was inspired after a trip to a temple near Burma where the monks take in orphaned tigers - a truly magical place. Then I added the most Ancient Superman, the Hindu deity Hanuman. He symbolically stands for pure devotion, complete surrender and absence of ego (or lower self).  Next to him is a wooden sculpture which also belonged to my Grandmother, I love this piece, it is really simple and the leaning stance of the figure is genius. Next up is Ronald McDonald, (note the arrows in his chakras) whom I found to be quite sinister with his hands in prayer. Finally I threw in a peacock which is a symbol of immortality because the ancients believed the peacock had flesh that didn't decay after death. It also has many other meanings including the all-seeing eye in the feathers (rather like the all-seeing eye in Egyptian, Greek and Roman mythology) warding off evil spirits. I am loath to sell this painting but if the right buyer came along, who knows I might reluctantly decide to part with it. I would consider doing a personalised version if someone was interested.