Juanita Bellavance, Variation 11, From Variations on a theme portfolio, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches

Just had to make a pink painting.

I love the softness and the gentleness of pink. Some of my favorite "pink" moments are in the spring when the azaleas are in full bloom. I start to feel happy when spring is showing in my neighborhood. Azaleas are all over the place. I will often go to huge gardens where azaleas are in bloom such as Gibbs Gardens and Calloway Gardens. Both are located in GA. Calloway Gardens is a few hours from me but Gibbs is only about half an hour away.

This image is not azaleas but brings that memory of awe energy to the mind. These paintings are simply triggers of awe energy, not the exact place or thing of the memory. When I question what is it I love so much about the painting, the other times when pink has made me happy also come to mind.