Paul Coppola 

 

I discovered an artwork that has made me think. This artwork is called “Spring Night” and the creator is unknown. The scene in the painting is a black starry sky with fluffy purple clouds. Deep orange embalms the core of the clouds making them appear ominous, like they are on fire.  In the black sky there sits a rectangular image framed with sparkles. There is a path that spills out of the frame. The colors of the path appear to glisten with the reflection of the sky. This path leads to another world. In this world, it is calm and peaceful. The color of the sky is a blend of blue, pink, and purple making this world appear spiritual. The moon sits low beneath the sky, is big and bright, and lights up the ocean world framed with sparkles, there is a tall tree, its leaves outline the frame. Bright purple bushes are aligned along the water glistening path.  At the end of the path there is a high marsh. The marsh is the color of different shades of pink. Beyond the marsh is an ocean. In the distance there is a shoreline of dark earth, like a seaweed covered beach. Beyond the shoreline are purple mountains covered with trees. The sparkles around the image create a frame that makes this world look magical. Dragonflies swarm and surround this framed image, appearing eager to enter this enchanted place.  

The aesthetic of the painting is warm and inviting. The colors chosen by the artist are deep and harmonious. The painting appears to be a group of dragonflies looking at a painting but the more it was analyzed, the more intrigued I became. I pondered on what this painting symbolized. It was concluded that this artwork is symbolic of what nirvana would look like to a dragonfly. The path which looks like it is spilling out of the painting is the dragonflies path to heaven. The sparkles surrounding the rectangle frame represent a magical place to enter. The dragonflies are flying towards this mystical place, believing this would be their perfect paradise. This world has everything a dragonfly needs to flourish and be happy. Dragonflies love moist, grassy, and marshy areas.  Dragonflies are attracted to and thrive in areas with bright gardens and open areas near water. A female dragonfly lays eggs in the water so this world is a dragonfly’s dream come true.    

This painting was very well done. The artist really captured a realistic world with a hint of spirituality. The way the artist painted the clouds, like they are on fire, gives the impression that God is angry. Then there is an escape to a calm, serene world. In some cultures, a dragonfly is spiritual. Some cultures believe that a dragonfly is good luck and if you make a wish when you see one, your wish will come true. Some believe that a visit from a dragonfly when someone dies means the person’s soul is captured by the dragonfly and set free. Some believe that if you see a dragonfly, it is a deceased loved one checking on you. Therefore, I can understand the creator connecting dragonflies as spiritual creatures and at the same time creating a world that is ideal for a dragonfly.  

This painting is not only pleasant to look at, but there is also depth of thought given to it by its creator. There is a possibility that it could just be a trippy artwork, but the meaning was worth thinking about especially because of my experience as an artist. Most of my art is expresses a message that I cannot express verbally but I can through the details in my art.