Moonsong by Jane Daniell
‘Moonsong’ by Jane Daniell is a captivating artwork that captures the essence of childhood wonder and the magic of imagination. This mesmerising piece is a celebration of the joy of reading and the boundless realms of imagination that literature can ignite in young minds.
Rendered in gouache, pastel, and watercolour on board, the painting employs a colour palette which enhances the dreamlike quality of the scene. Enclosed within a white frame, the artwork itself seems to be a window into a world of enchantment.
At the heart of the painting, a young girl sits nestled in a meadow of delicate wild flowers beneath the embrace of a towering tree. The setting radiates tranquillity and hints at the simple pleasures of nature. The girl is engrossed in her book, completely engrossed in the stories that unfold before her. This image beautifully captures the timeless experience of losing oneself in the pages of a book, a universal sentiment shared by both young and old.
However, what truly sets ‘Moonsong’ apart is its whimsical and imaginative touch. The narrative takes a fantastical turn as the imaginings of the girl leap from the pages of her book and transform into ethereal birds. These birds, each a manifestation of her thoughts and dreams, take flight towards the moon, symbolizing the boundless heights that the mind can reach through the power of storytelling. This metamorphosis from written words to soaring creatures evokes the transformative nature of reading, where ink on paper becomes a gateway to other worlds and infinite possibilities.
The ambiance of the painting is nothing short of ethereal and dreamy. The colours and the gentle play of light and shadow contribute to an otherworldly atmosphere, evoking a sense of calm and wonder. The grounded girl lost in her book and the flight of her imagined birds toward the moon creates a sense of duality – one foot grounded in reality and the other in the realm of dreams.
Moonsong speaks to the enchanting capacity of literature to transport us beyond the confines of our surroundings. It captures the essence of childhood curiosity and the unbridled flights of imagination that are often sparked by the written word. The artwork reminds us of the pure, unadulterated joy of getting lost in a story and the beautiful connection between the act of reading and the soaring heights of creativity.
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Question to the artist about the artwork
What inspired you to create the painting? Was there a specific experience or idea that led you to this beautiful depiction of a girl lost in her book?
Reading has always been an essential enhancement to my life. As a child I would suffer a huge sense of loss when my book ended and as an adult I always have my next book in place so I can have a seamless transition. The magic of childhood reading, when all things are possible is something I was able to revisit here.
The transformation of the girl’s imaginings into birds that seek the light of the moon is a striking and imaginative aspect of the painting. Could you share more about the symbolism behind this transformation and what it represents to you?
The birds represent her hopes and dreams; infinite possibilities. A new opportunity every day. They are also my own wish for peace and an end to the murderous stealing of life that we sanction in war
The colour palette and lighting in Moonsong creates a dreamlike atmosphere. Can you elaborate on your choice of colours and how they contribute to the overall mood and emotion you wanted to convey?
Inspired by a Walter de la Mare poem ‘Silver’ that begins ‘Slowly silently now the moon, walks the night in her silver shoon’ The poem describes the transformation of the world under moonlight and personifies the moon so that we engage with it as a friendly entity. Reminding us that as children it is a magnificent and mysterious presence in a world at a time when we have no knowledge of planets, moons and infinity.
The white frame around the artwork seems to enhance the sense of looking through a window into a magical world. Could you elaborate on your decision to frame the painting in this way and how it complements the overall narrative of Moonsong?
The frame is cream and has a slight embossing. I wanted to enhance the ethereal feel and felt that this surround gave it a timeless, classic momentum. I did consider something very ornate to convey the sense of ‘treasure’, something infinitely desirable, but decided it was too niche.
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