©️Daisies on the coast/Tethered (2025) by CLT_Abstracts
Mixed media on reclaimed canvas, 23.5" x 23.5" x 1" / 60cm x 60cm x 2.5cm
Here are few things to discover in my latest painting:
The fisherman, dog walker and surfer characters that i have created are all tethered in some way - i.e the fisherman with the rod trying to anchor himself on the slippy rocks whilst waves crash around him, the dog walker being blown back by the wind and pulled forward by the lead and the surfer with his board with a calling to go in the sea to catch the big waves despite the danger. Did you notice how they're all men? This happened organically but plays quite well into the mental health theme throughout. I think it is important to raise awareness that everybody can seek help, regardless of gender. But especially men or those who feel they would be judged for doing so. Mental illness is not something that makes you weak. I think you have to be very strong to deal with it every day.
2. The electric wires seemingly conjoining the houses, forming an aspect of community but also appearing to hold the buildings back from the edge of the cliff. There is a lot to be said for having a sense of belonging and having people looking out for you, as a form of protection and support.
3. The empty seat, with a gap in the flowers in front, suggests it’s a suicide spot where people jump from, but also a place of solace for those left behind. The fact there is no one sat on the bench, alludes to there being no one left behind because one suicide led to another. It also could be a nod to loneliness, adding to mental health issues. This particular part of the painting was loosely based on Hell's Mouth in Cornwall, in support of all those left behind or battling their own thoughts to stay.
4. The heavenly meadow of calming, coloured flowers blowing in the breeze, as if it’s a place to go that is soothing and a place of remembrance. But at the same time, as with everything in life, there is a flip side of representing the afterlife and a heaven like place where souls gather in togetherness but sadness.
5. The bright orange bush at a quick glance looks like flames of a wildfire, giving the sense of danger. This is echoed with the sheer drop of the cliff face.
6. I wanted to use distorted size values of the buildings and cliffs to convey a feeling of overwhelm and confusion. If you’ve ever suffered from a mental health issue that changes your perception at times, you’ll know that it can be hard see what is true and what is the mind playing tricks. For some people, the tricks can go on for so long that it can be hard to recalibrate. This is when you need to call in the Calvary of support whether that’s having friends and family by your side, telling your boss (if you have one) that you can’t work at the moment or trying a new med or therapy or something else. Don’t be afraid to reach out and tell someone how your feeling. It will help to stop it escalating into a bigger problem to tackle. It's not your fault. Your brain just needs support to function. Let's not even get into the fact that the world is geared towards supporting typical, fully functioning people to do well in life, leaving the rest of us to cling on and muddle through feeling totally lost and unwelcome and broken. Urgh.. i digress...
7. Another aspect I wanted to mention is the juxtaposition of the soft aesthetic of the blended pastel houses on one cliff with the dabs of acrylic on the other cliff opposite that has a more structural and textured appearance. This is to convey the duality of life. The spectrum of feelings we have. The feeling of being on a rollercoaster with the highs and lows of life. The way our brains can go all or nothing or flip from happy to sad. The darkness and the light. The introspective days and the social butterfly nights. Whatever that duality looks like for each of us is unique and none of it is wrong. It’s just our human experience. It’s just one part of who we are amongst a ton of other beautifully chaotic things. Just because we have those darker times, it doesn't mean we dont have light in us too.
Just like the light shining on the sand in this painting, I hope you will celebrate all the imprints you make on people’s hearts as you travel through life. Your legacy is how you changed someone’s feelings just by being you! You have been doing this since day dot, without realising or trying and with all your struggles you carry in your rucksack. Don’t forget how beautiful that is ❤️
Love always,
Charlotte, from CLT_Abstracts
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