The theme was announced as 'green', just after 5pm on Friday.You can see my early brainstorming for ideas.

 

None of these were really working for me, until I had the notion to collect proverbs, quotes and sayings involving 'green'.

The idea of a green eyed monster, the North American Indian saying, 'the frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives', and the Chinese proverb, 'if I keep a green bough in my heart, then the singing bird will come' were the three shortlisted ideas before I plopped into bed to sleep on it. Let the unconscious do the heavy lifting.

Next morning the unconscious had very firmly settled on the Chinese proverb, and so it was off to Google Images for visual references of birds and apple blossoms.

Once the concept and preparatory sketch were complete, the hardest part was over. Good thing, as it was 11am and I had paint like a demon in order to leave the house at 3pm to get the painting delivered in time!

 

 Made it! Dry, delivered and on display. 'If I Keep a Green Bough In My Heart, Then the Singing Bird Will Come' is on display at the Kingston Art Centre in Moorabbin, Melbourne until March 25, 2011. It's also available to own for $AU 210. This is higher than my usual price as it includes the gallery commission. For further information, it's best to contact the gallery direct. Phone 03 9556 4440 or email kingart@kingston.vic.gov.au.