The first flower

In this illustration, Lynne Vermeulen reflects on the transition from winter to summer — a shift she associates with rebirth, lightness, and movement.

“When I think of summer, I think of rebirth. Not that I feel dead during winter. Winter is the perfect excuse to wear multiple layers of wool and eat all your meals on the couch while preaching the importance of getting cosy. I see winter as a period of rest and recharge. Stretching your limbs once in a while and catching rare rays of sunlight peeking through curtains we keep closed to stay warm.

But then suddenly, summer creeps in. You gear up for an icy bike ride – gloves, balaclava, thermal underwear underneath it all – when it catches your eye. The first flower. Usually it’s the yellow ones announcing the end of all your laying on the couch. It’s time to banish the thermal underwear to the lowest drawer in the closet. Time to call your friends to lay in the grass with you. Happy new year.

That timid yellow flower being the first is the lead character in my drawing. (Sorry by the way for changing your colour to pink. I liked pink more!) It’s a digital illustration constructed as a collage of grainy shades made on my iPad. I started sketching after spotting this year’s first flower and feeling the rebirth of summer kicking in. That feeling of relief and gratitude about the seasons changing and standing in the middle of it is something I wanted to put on paper. I want to keep it close all summer long and let it linger on when winter sets in again. And hopefully, with this artwork, it inspires you to do the same. But winter is not something to think of now. For now, we go outside. We hug each other. We hug a flower.”

Recommended size and frame: A1 with a black frame – or contact us for other options, such as a custom-made frame or passe-partout.

On view on cloud 9 - feel free to make an appointment