The Pelican Feeder, 2022

The starting point for this painting was remembering my time in Kato Paphos, Cyprus. The pelicans would wander the harbour, hoping for fish. When I began the painting, it was quite conventional. There was even an actual pelican. But I wasn’t happy...

The starting point for this painting was remembering my time in Kato Paphos, Cyprus. The pelicans would wander the harbour, hoping for fish. When I began the painting, it was quite conventional. There was even an actual pelican. But I wasn’t happy with the it. I needed a flight of fancy to take it to the next level. I rotated the canvas 90 degrees clockwise so that the woman became an Angel. Pelicans are a symbol of piety, sacrifice and humanity. There is a legend that says pelicans peck their breasts until they bleed, so they can feed their blood to their children. So the painting became about love - motherly love or love from the universe. I don’t know. But it’s about trusting that the universe has your back and enjoying the golden life moments. I painted over the pelican and added a young woman, lying on the beach, her feet in the water, fish in abundance. The universe will provide. Life is good. Enjoy the moment.