What’s the story behind Love Story?

Love Story, Cassandra Gaisford, 2020

Laurie gave me this word today, ‘Lovely.’ If you’ve been following me for a while now you’ll know I like to set an positive intention for the day. It helps with focus, mood and joy.

The first thing I did after receiving my ‘word’ was search the Internet for ‘lovely’ quotes. This one by Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places, stood out.

“You make me lovely, and it’s so lovely to be lovely to the one I love.…”

People often ask where I grab my inspiration for my paintings from. In the case of my painting, Love Story, it was inspired by a visitor to my studio where he shared his enduring love affair with his wife who had died from cancer.

He said to me, “I would love to commission you to conjure up an exquisite piece of art…Love all the vibrant memories my special lady brings. Love, sea, sand, salt and Pohutukawas.”

I asked him to send me photos of the two of them when they were happiest. I drew inspiration from all their loves (sea, sand, salt, Pohutukawas) and his wife’s love of racy reds.

I also drew inspiration from the beautiful abstract pattern I saw in a photo of the two of them and the dress of his beloved wife. I also threw in a few square shapes, in reference to a checked shirt he had been wearing.

Though she passed several years ago from cancer, I wanted this painting to be a celebration of her life. Love Story was such a joy to paint as I know the healing power art can bring, a loving hug during times of sadness and a big vibrant reminder of love that endures.

For reasons, unbeknown to me, he never returned to my gallery and never purchased the painting. But I believe paintings find the right people at the right time. I felt so honoured to have been asked in the first place and to be using my gifts to capture such profound love.

I was super excited when, several months later, celebrity chef Jo Seagar visited my gallery in the Bay of Islands and became the new owner of this love-inspired work. The constant love story in Jo’s life has been her work for Hospice New Zealand. For over 25 years, as their ambassador and Patron, she has been raising funds and public awareness of their very important work.

Today, as I reflect on this painting and my one word ‘lovely’ I saw this new bloom. It’s the first time we have had a pohutakawa flower on our property in the nine years we have been here…just in time for Christmas! I hope you find the memory and the photo as ‘lovely’ as I do.

Pohutukawa, Cassandra Gaisford, 2023

💖 🌈💕 😇🥰🥳 🎄🎅🤶

To learn more about my commission process:

Commissions

Living Memorials

The pohutukawa tree is a New Zealand icon with deep spiritual meaning for Māori, connecting the beginning and ending of human life. In Māori mythology, the red flowers represent the blood of the warrior Tawhaki, a spirit ancestor who showed the way from earth to heaven but fell and died in doing so. The gnarled pohutukawa at Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand, is known as “the place of leaping” from where the spirits of Māori journey to their traditional homeland of Hawaiki.

Much of my artwork is influenced by the depth of Maori’s spiritual views and I love to share and celebrate this (and that of other cultures, including Arab cultures, in my of my artworks, wellness books and love stories. I find a rich vein of inspiration in journeying into other cultures. If only we could celebrate diversity more.

Some questions to ponder:

What role does education play in fostering respect between cultures?
How can media be used to promote a more positive view of different cultures?
What are some common misconceptions people have about other cultures, and how can we address them?
What steps can governments take to encourage greater cross-cultural exchange and understanding?
What impact does globalization have on cultural diversity, and how can we preserve it?

How I choose subjects to paint

In 2011 my partner and I celebrated his birthday in Sicily, this photo was taken not far from Palermo. It was the most magical time. May, and off-season, so lovely and empty of the normal crowds. I love this affirmation that I added to the photo “success is your ticket to a better place.”

Looking back now, I can see that it was more than just the potted geraniums by the studio door that inspired my painting, A Hopeful Heart, which I painted in 2023. Geraniums have always held a special place in my heart.

So many happy memories

I feel so blessed to meet so many people and hear and watch which of my paintings spark joy—their reactions inspire me to create new works and curb a tendency to paint over existing works! Sometimes people come for a wee peek and then decide to commission a bespoke artwork from me. What joy! I share more about the commission process here:

The images below were from my recent Sky Fall Exhibition. “SKYFALL: Messages From Water and The Universe“, shared Love and Gratitude Water-infused colour paintings inspired by Dr. Masaru Emoto’s pioneering studies into the energy of love. I loved everyone’s reactions to the work.

Look what fell from the sky l Art Exhibition Private views

Thank you to all the beautiful souls who came to visit me during my Sky Fall exhibition and during the garden trail.

I loved meeting you all, loved answering the questions you asked, loved your beautiful smiles and meeting your friends-regardless of whether you purchased my art or not. And, of course, I was so grateful and humbled when you adored my art enough to purchase it. Thank you❤️🖼️💕☔️☀️ I do appreciate you:)

“I love this one. And I love this one! And I love this one, too. I’m drawn to the pink. Oh my God, I love them so much. To be honest, I wasn’t drawn to the green one, but I love all the shapes coming through. Oh my God! I love them all.” ❤️💕🌸

In this video, I share the fun and joyous reaction of an interior designer and photographer who had come to select a painting to photograph for their 2024 calendar.

How I choose subjects to paint

I love to follow my current obsessions and passions. For example, for Sky Fall, it was an obsession with the spiritual properties of water.

Other times it has been the profound joy of discovering poppies in my garden.

Sometimes it has been people approaching me to create something bespoke from them.

People often ask me, “How do you commission a painting from an artist? How can you be sure you’re going to get what you want? It must take a lot of trust.” I share some tips on my blog: https://www.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/how-to-commission-a-painting-youll-love/

One time, it was my partner bringing flowers to the studio

I bought you flowers, 2023, Cassandra Gaisford

Staring at a blank wall?

Sometimes, I will create a painting to brighten a spot in my own home. Or I am commissioned to bring joy to a blank wall by a new collector.

Inside The Flower, Cassandra Gaisford, 2023

The Flower Girl, Cassandra Gaisford, 2023, https://shop.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/product/the-flower-girl/

The Flower Girl, Cassandra Gaisford, 2023, https://shop.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/product/the-flower-girl/

One time, the subject chose me when I was painting with a child

Let it Go, 2023, Cassandra Gaisford

I created this piece with fun visitors who came for a spontaneous playdate, Ella (6 yrs) and her grandmother. Ella introduced me to new music The Fun Squad… I loved the song “Never Grow Up” and “Let it Go.” I introduced Ella to dancing and singing while you paint and reintroduced her to finger painting.

Ella has a special relationship with her grandmother, which I did with mine, who taught me how to paint and it was a nice trip down memory lane, as I watched the two of them co-create together. This special piece oozes love, fun and play—just the high vibes.

there are so many sources of inspiration for artists

In summary, there are so many sources of inspiration for artists. Personally, I feel the most important quality is a willingness to let go, and play. Play with ideas. Play with composition. Play with feelings. For example in the large-scale beeswax below I was processing feelings of grief after my mother died.

Stardust, New Zealand Beeswax, Frankincense, Pure Pigment, Charcoal on board, Cassandra Gaisford, 2022

150 cm x 200 cm

It was such a shock to lose my mum this year. 2 days after I returned home to the Bay of Islands, after two weeks caring for her. Thankfully I can escape into creativity. I am loving the strength and beauty of black at the moment…black was my mum’s favourite colour.

I love this new piece. Would you have a wall that could do with the power and passion of this new piece?

“Beautiful and powerful.”

“Love the texture!”

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