Ever since I first encountered the work of Marc Chagall, I have been captivated by his ability to paint love as an ethereal force, something that could lift his figures from the ground and send them soaring through village skies. His art gave me permission to see the world not just as it is, but as it feels. My new painting, “My Dreams about Chagall. The Kiss,” is not a copy of his work, but a conversation with his spirit. It was born from a desire to capture what I believe is the most profound of human experiences: the moment when a kiss becomes a universe, and two people create a world that is entirely their own, woven from energy, color, and pure emotion.
The journey of this painting began with a question: how do you paint the invisible? How do you give form to the energy that flows between two people in love? My answer was to dissolve the boundaries between the figures and their environment. They are not simply in a landscape; they are the landscape. Their bodies are intertwined with the branches of a blossoming Tree of Life, showing that their union is a source of life itself. They float in a space that is neither day nor night, a dreamscape defined by feeling. The composition is a vortex of energy, pulling the viewer into the sacred, central space of the embrace, a sanctuary of connection.
My choice of colors was deeply intuitive and symbolic. I reached for a palette that could speak the language of the soul. The deep blues, indigos, and purples form the backdrop of this dream, representing spirituality, intuition, and the vastness of the subconscious mind. Against this cosmic canvas, I ignited a passionate heart—the large, sculptural red rose at the core of their union. This isn’t just a flower; it’s the fiery epicentre of their passion. Surrounding it are streaks of turquoise for healing, sunny yellows for joy, and soft pinks for tenderness. The colors are a direct translation of the complex, beautiful emotions that define a deep and abiding love.
Symbolism is layered throughout the piece, inviting contemplation. The ancient symbol of Yin and Yang rests at the foundation of their connection, a clear acknowledgment of the sacred balance between masculine and feminine energies, light and dark, giving and receiving. It is the anchor of their harmony. Higher up, butterflies take flight, representing the profound transformation of the soul that true love inspires. On his chest, a sunflower blooms—a symbol of loyalty and adoration that turns its face towards the light of his beloved. Every element is a piece of a larger narrative about love as a holistic, spiritual, and life-altering force.
The creation of this 32×37 inch canvas was as much a sculptural act as it was a painterly one. I primarily used palette knives, building up thick layers of paint in an impasto style. I wanted the viewer to feel the texture with their eyes, to sense the physicality of the paint. The petals of the flowers are raised from the canvas, and the streams of energy have a tangible flow. This technique makes the painting an interactive experience; as the light in the room changes, so does the life of the painting, with new shadows and highlights revealing themselves. It was a meditative process, each stroke a confirmation of the beauty I was trying to convey. Ultimately, “My Dreams about Chagall. The Kiss” is my offering—a vibrant, joyful celebration of love’s power to create, to heal, and to make us feel as though we can fly.
