The story behind "Purity" by Debbie Arambula
Years ago, I was sitting in my art studio trying something new. My art studio was in Historic Downtown Campbell, California. I shared the studio with a lovely artist & soul sister, Carolyn Larsen, and we created a Goddess Haven, a magical place, where time paused and creativity abounded. Perhaps it was the way the early morning light danced across the room as day turned into night, or perhaps that it sat in the center of a quaint little courtyard next to 9 other little eclectic shops. Either way, it was a slice of heaven.
Little did I know, one night in 2006, I would birth a new spiritual style of flower paintings that I would paint with my hands and fingers only. One of my first pieces in this new series would stop many in their tracks to ponder a deeper meaning of life.
As a self-taught artist, every painting, right from the get-go, has been an experiment of emotion to a canvas. Tonight was no different, and like a child dancing across the canvas with fingers, gently using oil to express the flow of my emotions, the purity of my heart and soul unfolded like a three-dimensional sculpture, overthrowing the white canvas into a masterpiece. This series is called "The Rebirth Series".
"Purity" is the first piece I captured on a small snippet of film. (Unfortunately, my camera fell before I realized it and so I didn't catch the entire painting on film).
"Purity" has been dying to escape the creativity chambers of my mind for many years. I discovered the Mexican Poppy while driving to Yosemite about 15 years ago. The bright white petals, with a sunburst of yellow in the center, so delicate, so frilly, so simple, so fragile, yet it's hardy stem is able to withstand the deep heat of the summer and the coolness of the mountain range.
Such as life, change takes place when you least expect it, and the next morning you rise and wonder how you will make it through this new adventure. You contemplate as your soul searches for the truth in this new misfortune or this new opportunity. It's all in how you view it. Survive or succumb, that is the question.
You wonder, WHY? HOW?........ And you sway in the wind, fragile white petals, sturdy stem, and you find your way to truth, your truth and you rise above, open, honest, trusting the journey, trusting yourself. Purity is about your truth, your integrity, your openness to growth, life, love and all the adventures Life has to offer.
For me, painting with hands and fingers allows me to give you the deepest part of my soul. I wish you peace, love & strength in your journey always and forever.
Love,
Debbie Arambula
Info about the flower: Known commonly as Matilija poppies( mə-TIL-i-hah) or tree poppies and are native to California and Northern Mexico.