Dahlias

This still-life painting of Dahlias in a green glass vase by Donald Maier was painted back in 1985, inspired by the Spider Dahlias he planted in his backyard. The spider Dallas truly stands out in the painting in contrast to the dark green vase, burgundy, and bluish background. The artwork in itself is truly captivating. The intentionally random brush strokes in the background give added dimension to the painting against the more intentional and sure line he uses to create the form of the flowers. The flowers are also painted in different perspectives and forms. Floral paintings are symbols of femininity, youth, and beauty. This painting shows more than that. There’s a hovering sense of mysteriousness and darkness in the painting. It makes you want to look closer to see what’s going on in the painting other than just dahlias on a vase. Vintage paintings by numbers always have an air of mystery to them. And it’s not because of the hidden meanings and symbols that lie beneath the painted