Lillies for Isaac

I fell in love with this painting when I first saw it on instagram, it had three of my blessing beads on the subject and I loved that the face was veiled by the lily flowers, but when I enquired about the story and meaning behind it I had to have it.  For me it had greater meaning as a person who has lost a sibling, I look at the subject with the lilies in front of her face and I think of my mother and of the artist who have both lost a son.  Below is my correspondence with the artist Kate Moyston.  

Kate Moyston: "All my work has lots of meanings!  This painting is about my son, Isaac.  He died in 2011 and this year my sister sent us flowers and I wanted to 'keep' the flowers so I put them in the painting.  I have three sons and my first one had given me the turtle blessing bead, I love the symbolism of taking time and being patient, the elephant was from my last son, remover of obstacles and the blue butterfly is always for Isaac! (www.katemoyston.com)

To me it is a hopeful painting!

Ever since Isaac was born I have painted blue butterflies for him"

Kristie Stephenson: "Wow that is a beautiful story.  I always talk about having hope.  2011 is the year I moved back to Jamaica and was the 10 year anniversary of the passing of my brother.  Part of my journey was searching for stories that provided comfort and Butterfly Woman was the first one I found that resonated with me.  The Butterfly (Bracelet) is inspired by the Hopi Native American springtime goddess who helps you to come out of any cocoon situation you are in, giving you the strength to spread your wings and fly.  The Spring time goddess is called Butterfly woman."

Curious about the flowers in the painting, I did some research and found out that the Lily flower was considered by alchemists to be a lunar plant with feminine qualities.  Believed to relieve heartache from loss it is usually given by the Chinese to those that are grieving.  The Fleur de Lis a symbol of European royalty is a stylized version of the Lily flower.  The lilies in the painting are known as  Stargazer lilies because of its pink stripes which mean ambition and encouragement with a difficult challenge.

The message of the Lily flower is to take a regal stance and embrace your power, to remember that renewal is just around the corner and that the end of one thing heralds the beginning of another.