One of my Cuban art collectors recently asked me why I paint so many flowers since he prefers to see my Cuba-related themes the most. At the time, my response was that "I like flowers!" Lame, right?
It's true that creating art is an expression of who we are and what we know and love and as I thought more about it, I would have explained to him that nature (and flowers in particular) have a tremendous impact in how I view the world. And flowers, for me, connect me with so many important memories on a deeper level. The geraniums that I love, remind me of my Spanish heritage, and the stories of long-ago when my parents and brothers lived in the north of Spain. The hedychium coronarium or Mariposa Blanca, is the Cuban National Flower. My birth place. With its wonderful fragrance, I'm reminded of the sweet smelling air when we sat in our front porch, in the beach town of Santa Fe, when I was little. The hibiscus, bromeliads and birds of paradise are quite common in south Florida. These lovely flowers represent my adult self. Putting down roots in a new land. Tending my garden and cultivating a relatively new-found passion, fine art painting.
So, thank you for letting me share my connection to the world of flowers and in honor of spring, I'm including some new ones in my etsy shop. Use coupon code Maysale10 to receive 10% off any item in my store!
cariños,
Maria Soto Robbins
