I started this painting in Virginia from a photo I took, closer to the coastal areas in southern Virginia. I chose this subject due to its symbolism, as purity, beauty and enlightenment. I set it aside for a long time. The dark entangled stuff under the water was hard to see. It was difficult to paint. Then I read somewhere that despite the murky dark conditions, the lily overcomes all obstacles. It manages to blossom and grow into a beautiful flower. Similarly, our greatest growth in life sometimes comes from some very low points.
In 2025 I went back into this painting and defined more of the under water elements. I added phosphorescent paint (black light paint) to en-lighten it.
Acrylic paint, embedded papers, textures and black light paint on stretched canvas.
It is challenging to photograph art in black light. The appearance changes depending on the level of light affecting the paint. This black light photo of the painting was taken in complete darkness accept for two black lights aimed at.
susan krieg 