![]() 💫New Painting Alert 💫 Growth 24” x 24” Acrylic & Gold Leaf Ya girl is on a roll with another new painting this month! This painting was finished just in time for the start of Spring, as the earth begins to sprout anew, and everything gains life once again. Aight that was a lil cheesy but any who. I wanted to try my hand at a larger canvas, something that would force me to slow down rather than race the clock to get it done in a day. Needless to say, large canvases are definitely a workout (arms and shoulders specifically). I was so tired after every painting session, but after completing it was worth it. It has continued to inspire me to lean into making a painting series that explores a specific flower and its meaning. My previous painting, Rebirth, featured Spider Lilies, highlighting the rebirth of my own creative journey. This painting continues the conversation with a woman wearing a crown and surrounded by an overflow of pink petaled ivy called Bougainvillea, a flower with a myriad of meanings. Frequently they represent perseverance, strength, growth, and the ability to thrive. In some cultures, bougainvillea also specifically embody spiritual connection, growth and development. For example, in Greece bougainvilleas are often used to decorate shrines dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. In Brazil, bougainvillea flowers are known as "Santa Rita", named after the saint of impossible causes. These flowers are used by locals to decorate the streets in Cachoiera, a municipality of Bahia, Brazil, during the Flower Festival of Santa Rita where a religious procession is used to honor the saint. With this painting, I channeled early Renaissance portraits of saints in order to highlight growth, protection, and spiritual connection. Gold whether gold leaf, paint, or real gold, was often used to create halos around the heads of their portraits to symbolize that person's connection to Christ. The imperfect circle in my painting represents growth in all of its messiness as a work in progress towards the woman's future. The bougainvilleas surrounding her body are her protection, warding off what she no longer needs and what doesn’t mean her well. In order to grow, we all have to be wary about what and who we bring around us. This painting was a part of Feminine Frequency, a Women’s History month exhibition curated by Rakia Jackson and Deborah J. Sheppard, the opening reception was 3/7. If you’re in the Greenville area, stop by the Scullery to see this and other amazing pieces while the show is still up. With love and magic, 💫Jae
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It’s been awhile since we last chatted, but I’m happy to say that after some time off I’m finally ready to get back into doing more of what I love. Consider this blog a new version of the old Jae's Corner, something that hadn't been touched in years. I'm not much of a talk about myself person, which is ironic since as an artist I'm supposed to be promoting and selling not only myself but my art, but this blog will be a test of how long I can last.
I bet some are wondering, "It's been so long, why are you restarting a blog instead of just leaving it to fade away?" Honestly, with the state of social media and the algorithms that control it, I think giving people a more direct way to not only interact with me and my art will be better in the long run. I'm also horrible at posting on social media in the first place. I have some plans for 2025, which includes posting more and giving more glimpses into my mundane life. Not only will you see more art from me, you’ll be seeing much more of my comic StepSisters as it grows and progresses with me. Not to mention, I’ve given my shop a major lift and can’t wait to share even more products than what’s there now. Keep an eye out on this space and my socials as I reintroduce some old products and debut some new ones. With love and magic, Jae |
AuthorCurrently a resident of North Carolina, Jacinda Aytch (pronounced 'H') is a graphic designer and illustrator that is currently working on her own series, StepSisters, as well as a myriad of personal, exploratory illustrations. Categories |