dreamscapes

 

When we were in Wellington a few weeks ago, Tom and I visited the City Gallery and saw the large exhibition of NZ painter Séraphine Pick. I really enjoyed seeing such a wide selection of her work: there were paintings from the early 1990's ranging to very recent works. There was one painting, though, that caused tears to spring to my eyes, but I'm not sure why. I think it was called 'Where did you go?' and showed a young girl lying on her bed with her legs stretched up a wall. I don't think I will ever forget that image.

Anyway, the 'dreamscape' paintings that the artist did in the 1990's were my favourite, and I've been thinking about those a lot lately. Also, experimenting with watercolour paint and pencil to make small 'dream-scenes' of my own. I've had a few of my small paintings printed to make notecards to send to friends. In addition to the dream-memories that involve anxious situations- impossible deadlines, hair falling out in clumps, etc, the best dreams are ones in which long details can be remembered- like the close-up of an over-sized rose where the petals are closely packed and smooth like wintered skin, or a small lake with white marks like the wind is ruffling its feathers. I'm trying to record these details so I don't forget them. Imagine all those dream-memories we've forgotten. I expect they return to us on other nights, though.

Have you ever tried recording your dream-memories like this?

Wishing you a relaxing weekend.