Water Lilies oil painting by Zoe Elizabeth Norman ‘Waterlilies on the River Bure’
Our artwork of the week this week is a an tranquil river scene with Water Lilies. ‘Waterlilies on the River Bure’ is a beautiful oil painting by UK artist Zoe Elizabeth Norman. The artwork is a contemporary impressionistic interpretation of the river Bure and the lush greenery which surrounds it – which celebrates the lilies of the river at the forefront.
Zoe was inspired to paint the scene whilst canoeing on the river in the summer. She has captured the lush green water lilies with their little yellow flowers growing in abundance along the edge of the beautiful tranquil water way.
Zoe is deeply moved by nature’s tranquillity and uses her brushes to dance across the canvas. She captures the serene waterscapes, lush greenery and the water lilies come alive under the dynamic sky. As she pours her soul into every stroke, she blends oil paints, creating a sense of peace and reflection.
This work is an ode to nature’s quiet beauty, inviting you to bask in the calm it promises to infuse in your space. This contemporary painting continues around the edges so there is no need for a frame. It is signed on the front, varnished and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Zoe Elizabeth Norman is an award-winning artist and her paintings are in private collections around the world.
SEE MORE ARTWORKS BY ZOE ELIZABETH NORMAN
QUESTIONS TO THE ARTIST
What inspired you during your canoe trip to create the artwork?
I love being on the water and seeing so many beautiful views I want to paint. However, I chose this one because l love waterlilies and red poppy fields. This scene combined both and I thought it would be a great composition.
How did you go about painting the waterlilies and capturing the tranquillity of the scene?
Firstly I painted an impression of the waterlilies from a quick snapshot I took while on the water. I arranged them to draw the eye up through the painting which helped achieve depth and perspective.
I haven’t added any people or wildlife to the scene and this allows the viewer to imagine how quiet the river is. The distant reflections and blue water all help to convey the feeling of peace and tranquillity.
Why did you choose to extend the painting around the edges?
I nearly always paint around the edges of my canvases, as l like the three dimensional look it achieves. It has become such a habit now that the painting just doesn’t look finished to me unless it continues around the edges. The painting is also more versatile for the collector since it can be hung directly on a wall without the need of a frame.
How long did the painting take to create?
This particular painting was completed in one session and took about 6 hours. After a few days drying I completed the painting by adding the yellow flowers and signature.
Is oil your preferred medium?
I used to paint exclusively with watercolour but changed to oil paints five years ago when I also started painting more landscapes. Once I discovered oil paints I just fell in love with them and now prefer them over all other mediums. Oil paints just suit my way of working and allow me more freedom to express myself.
SEE MORE ARTWORKS BY ZOE ELIZABETH NORMAN
