Wishing Upon the Silver Moon 2019

Curator: This watercolor painting, entitled "Wishing Upon the Silver Moon," was completed in 2019 by Daria Theodora. The painting utilizes symbolism within a fantastical portrait. What are your initial thoughts on the piece? Editor: There is a distinct feeling of yearning evoked by the upturned gaze, a reaching towards something beyond the confines of the frame. The ethereal palette lends a wistful mood. Curator: Indeed. The work is striking due to its composition. The subject, framed by botanicals and black swans, appears to be encased or emerging, from a dreamlike space, her cloak comprised of bright geometric figures in comparison to the lush organic detail around her. The geometry gives way to a kind of order—or a system—as the eye moves about the work, which contrasts beautifully with the lunar glow of the white hair and moon. Editor: Symbolically, the moon universally represents dreams, intuition, and the subconscious. The artist seems to explore these themes, the flowering vines symbolizing growth and perhaps even hidden potential rising toward this lunar ideal. Curator: Note the position of the swans, whose curved necks serve as dark frames around the hands and arms. One might examine this repetition, how each section creates further formal arrangement to suggest introspection through color, shadow, and line. Editor: The black swan is particularly fascinating. In contrast to the traditional white swan representing purity and grace, the black swan often embodies mystery, elegance tinged with the unknown, or even something unforeseen. This could also speak to the subconscious made manifest, no? Curator: It introduces an element of complexity. This juxtaposition with vibrant color gives the painting visual and thematic tension. There’s so much to explore: it functions as a portrait, certainly, but also as a meditation on interiority and visual balance. Editor: Absolutely, Daria Theodora offers a compelling look into symbolic, figurative relationships with emotional depth and sophisticated handling of color. Curator: An intriguing work from Daria Theodora, one that merges stylistic arrangement and poetic symbolism.