Torus Seeds Design

TORUS field with CELTIC scroll, birds and lions; with centre of flame and lotus.

A slowly developed painting; final design early 2026. Ideas went through many variations; shown below.  Final version is more decorative, than the abstract idea I wanted to achieve.  (suitable for printing cards).  Toroidal flow plumes were reintroduced (which were in the original).  Centre hot background is stronger, darker, but the early pale background was quite effective.  The early thick twisted vortex was replaced with a blue plaited 'Tree of Life' which was finally replaced with new 'Art Nouveau' styled tree branches, to allow for a light view through the centre, with lotus flower. The Celtic knot animal scroll went through several changes of colour; all of which looked too much of a contrast, so final design uses mostly the green, to merge with the vortex and tree colours.  Conclusion: there were too many themes in this one design: torus, seeds, flowers, Celtic art, animals, tree: and several can be focussed on individually with new treatments. Large Painting on marine plywood.

Torus and Seeds - Focus 2023-25 - Tree of Life version

Torus represents the energy in living, growing plants and an invisible force by which flowers and seeds develop. Life force is represented by the flame at the centre of the tree, which combines with lines into the vortex.  (changed in final version)

Gallery in early development chronological order.  Original Celtic designed ovals completed on both sides, with contrasting orange/blue backgrounds behind.  Focus changed to lighten the centre and push back the Celtic ovals, to replace with firstly a twisted rope vortex, and lilac ring, as I wanted to go more abstract. (Later replaced with an inter-plaited Tree of Life.)  As a large board I was able to add many details.

Design planning gradually changed the overall impact of the painting; actually losing some of the original idea, whilst formulating a new vision.  Some of the smaller extracts from the scene can give new inspiration for other less complicated paintings.  [Painting is unvarnished as at 1.7.24, which will deepen the colours - to be reposted]

After lightening the vortex centre background, it occurred to me the full Celtic ovals with animals was too much, and needed fading into the surroundings more; this was the start of the vortex design changes.  However, by removing the clear 'plume' shapes which flow upwards out of the vortex, I have reduced them to mere decoration at top and bottom of the final version painting: the symbolism is still there, but not so clearly emanating from the vortex.  They should maybe regained somewhat  [thought July 2024]