Flowering out of the box I

by Tiara Kroes

Flowering; leaves in shades of pink, red and orange, outlined with swift strokes of blue chalk. Towards the centre, the colours deepen to dark violet, with light, white strokes radiating outwards from the centre. Behind the flower lies a patch of yellow and turquoise.

Outside this area, green watercolour runs freely across the paper. Light blue chalk forms a sweeping arc, a cloud of orange specks, and swathes of purple chalk take their own course. Fine, dark splashes are scattered across the entire work.

The work was created using watercolour and chalk, applied in layers upon one another, quickly and without any preconceived idea of where it would lead.

A flower does not open to be seen. It simply grows and blooms, in all directions, paying no heed to the boundaries we imagine around it. You can see this literally here: the colour reaches beyond the area intended for it. It is often just the same with people. Those who come into their own do so from within and rarely stick to the lines drawn in advance.

The work forms a diptych with *Flowering II*, but also stands well on its own. In a light-coloured interior, it adds colour and movement. Against a dark wall, the blue and pink really come into their own.