Painting poppy flowers, beauties of love and death
Poppy flowers bloom not only in fields and meadows, but - in my paintings - also among the stars in the vastness of space. They express the consolation of dying, the certainty of death. In poetry, they are considered the flowers of love, eternal lovers. They are the true inspiration for my paintings.
Poppy Stars, Art Canvas Print 120 x 90 cm
Celestial Blooms: Poppies Amidst the Stardust
This piece portrays a constellation of poppy flowers, vivid in their crimson hue, set against an abstract, dreamlike backdrop that suggests a cosmic field. The foreground poppies are illuminated, almost as if spotlighted by the stars twinkling within the surreal, multicolored haze that engulfs them. It’s a blend of nature and fantasy, where flowers and stars become indistinguishable companions.
My brushwork imbues the scene with a sense of motion and life; the blooms seem to sway gently, cradled by the cosmic wind. The deep reds and pinks of the poppies contrast with the soft surrounding colors, creating a visual symphony that speaks to the interconnectedness of the universe and the natural world.
Poppy Nebula
In my paintings, Poppies are depicted as a symbol of transience, but also of hope and renewal. The delicate petals and vibrant colors of the poppy remind me of the fragility and beauty of life, and inspire me to embrace the now with gratitude and joy.
The red poppy has also become a symbol of remembrance and tribute to fallen soldiers in many countries around the world. The poppy's resilience in the face of adversity reminds us of our own capacity for growth and renewal, and inspires us to embrace life with optimism and courage.
Poppies and Lavender, Art Canvas Print 120 x 90 cm
Vivid Meadows: Where Poppies Dance with Lavender
The artwork captures a vivid field of poppies, their reds ranging from the deepest scarlet to the softest pink, intermingled harmoniously with a sea of lavender. The intense purple of the lavender adds a rich backdrop to the fiery red poppies, creating a vibrant contrast that is both arresting and harmonious.
This interplay of colors is reminiscent of nature's own palette, where every hue has its place and purpose. The texture of the painting suggests the tactile feel of the flowers and the dynamism of the natural landscape. This field is not just a visual treat but a sensorial experience, inviting viewers to imagine the soft rustling of petals and the calming scent of lavender carried on a warm breeze.
The Story about Poppy History
Poppy is one of the oldest cultivated plants, with opium production dating back to the Neolithic period (around 6000 BC) in southern Europe. Sumerian artifacts from 4000 BC show the use of poppy seeds for pharmaceutical production. Poppy cultivation and the use of opium were known to the ancient Cretans. Opium has been used to treat asthma, gastrointestinal diseases and blindness. In ancient Greece, there are archeological finds, showing that the Greeks used opium for ritual and medical purposes.
In the Bronze Age, mass-produced bottles shaped like opium capsules were found in Cyprus, where the ancient Egyptians imported opium from and later cultivated their own poppy plantations in the Nile valley for use in worship. During the Roman Empire, opium was commonly used as medicine by the wealthy, with evidence of large amounts found. In the remnants of the imperial palace from year 214, 17 tons of opium were calculated.
The First and Second Opium Wars between China, the British Empire and France took place in XIX century. The Chinese tried to stop the opium smuggled by Western businessmen into their country. Many contemporary writers, especially in the 19th century, wrote about the opium and its effects, particularly Thomas de Quincey in the "Confessions of an English Opium-Eater". French composer Hector Berlioz used opium for inspiration, creating "Symphonie Fantastique", where a young artist overdoses opium and experiences visions of unfulfilled love.
Early Christianity saw in sickness God's punishment and in the 4th century prohibited the use of opium as an analgesic. Opium was seen as Satan's activity... The extraordinary significance of the discovery of opium for humans is well understood. For the first time in medical healing, medical interventions have become bearable.
Poppy Full, Art Canvas Print 130 x 100 cm
Poppy's Warm Embrace: A Dance of Light and Petals
This digital creation showcases a resplendent poppy flower in full bloom, enveloped in soft shades of coral and peach. Each petal appears to be delicately crafted from the morning light, inviting the viewer into the heart of the flower where a luminous core gleams like the sun itself.
I employ a gentle yet evocative brush technique that gives life and movement to the still image, as if each stroke carries the whisper of a summer breeze. The fine gradations of color from the vibrant center to the tender edges of the petals create a harmonious gradient, embodying the essence of a flower's ephemeral beauty.
Exploring the Beauty of Poppy Flowers in my Paintings
In one of my paintings, two large orange poppies are depicted against a bright blue sky, with tiny suns within them. In another painting, I have created a stellar image with a large red tulip between stars and nebula swirls, symbolizing the power and resilience of nature in the face of the vastness of the universe.
One of my paintings captures a young orange poppy with dew drops on its petals, set against a background of violent space and stars. This juxtaposition of delicate beauty and cosmic chaos creates a sense of awe and wonder. In another painting, a spiral galaxy dominates the night sky, with a field of red tulips and blue flowers in the foreground.
