Spring Morning 2015

Curator: It’s almost impossibly charming, isn't it? Like a greeting card that suddenly came to life. Editor: I agree! It definitely sparks joy. There's a sweetness that emanates from it. Curator: "Spring Morning" is the title. Bernadette Resha created this watercolor painting back in 2015. There is something very joyful about the birds that she portrays. Editor: There is something undeniably symbolic about the imagery, with birds sitting above the citrus. To me, birds often signify freedom, spirituality, or a messenger carrying secrets or perhaps good tidings, and paired with citrus I read a lot about health and wellness into this. The artist presents her idea in a visually intriguing manner, using watercolor with soft, diffuse strokes. Curator: Yes, the loose brushwork definitely gives it an ethereal quality. To me, it speaks about the ephemerality of such beauty— a single morning, a shared perch between birds. In so many cultures birds symbolize just that; freedom, even aspiration. Resha has a true appreciation for that sense of lightheartedness that such scenes tend to conjure. And consider that she might as well portray these cute-looking birdies as somewhat entitled too. Perched above an offering like this? Editor: I agree! There’s an inherent gentleness, it looks so peaceful. Do you suppose she intentionally set up the image with the citrus that compliments the oriole's orange feathers, or do you suppose it was a fortuitous accident in the garden one day? Curator: A divine appointment, I hope. Maybe we should believe that! Otherwise, this otherwise charming painting is somewhat opportunistic, right? Birds and fruits have been symbolic for thousands of years. Editor: Ah, the human-nature relationship dynamic at work...well, either way, the way she used watercolor here definitely softens the harsh lines between that tension between us and nature. What do you take away overall, reflecting on what the symbolism in the piece brings to light? Curator: I believe she wants to give hope. This piece represents her love and enthusiasm towards new possibilities. This feels almost like the first scene of something more substantial! A prologue! Editor: You know, looking at "Spring Morning" with you has felt like shedding off a few layers. Thank you for pointing things out about its composition and what might possibly lay beyond what the eye can see at first.