This is a reproduction of an original pastel, Dogwood. It is a simple study of dogwood blossoms and leaves against the spring sky. I was influenced by Japanese painting in this pastel, which has a flattened space, rather than the illusion of depth as in the western tradition. Japanese art also uses the color gold quite often, which has a kind of elegance. This pastel has a cream-colored textured fabric matte and a rounded wood gilt frame. The image also reminds me of a painting that Van Gogh did for his brother Theo's newborn son - a simple image of a flowering tree against a blue sky, which shows Van Gogh's desire to create a happy image for his new nephew.
