peony

Peonies in Porcelain

Maria Libera Vallone6 Comments
Peonies in Porcelain
Peonies in Porcelain

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“Peonies in Porcelain” is an original acrylic painting by Donna Cushman of the Constitution State, Connecticut. Donna is a Quadriplegic, and she paints with a brush held in her mouth. This greeting card was reproduced from an original acrylic painting by Donna Cushman for THASC Sales Co., a private company dedicated to the employment of a unique group of handicapped artists who create art to help rehabilitate themselves. They gain self-respect and pride through their artwork.
“Peonies in Porcelain” is an original acrylic painting by Donna Cushman of the Constitution State, Connecticut. Donna is a Quadriplegic, and she paints with a brush held in her mouth. This greeting card was reproduced from an original acrylic painting by Donna Cushman for THASC Sales Co., a private company dedicated to the employment of a unique group of handicapped artists who create art to help rehabilitate themselves. They gain self-respect and pride through their artwork.

As a child of the 60’s and 70’s, that is a baby-boomer, I was very much attracted to high-heeled boots and shoes that were so “in” at the time and Donna Cushman’s painting immediately caught my eye.

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20150624_141221-1I was also attracted to the peony flower which is a traditional floral symbol of China and is used symbolically in Chinese art. Throughout Chinese history, peonies in the ancient Chinese city of
Luoyang are said to be the finest in the country.

Since peonies are native to Asia and Southern Europe, I enjoyed their beautiful scent when I was living in Beijing and throughout my travels of southern China. In Japan its root was used as a treatment for convulsions while in the Middle Ages their seeds were medically significant.

20150624_142034-1The Chinese also use the fallen petals as an addition to salads or to sweeten water like lemonade. Peonies are commonly used in Japan as tattoos along with lions, tigers, dragons and koi-fish as a masculine design.

To me I can only imagine them as feminine as can be with their soft petals and of course, those high-heeled shoes!

Join me next Tuesday as we get closer to our national holiday, July 4, and continue to celebrate our THASC artists.

Zai jian! (Good-bye in Chinese)

-Maria

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THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com