Renee Simon “Garden of Distraction” collage and acrylic, NFS

My mother has always surrounded herself with floral imagery in her home and during the spring and summer months it has always been important for her to have flowers all around her deck and patio. During the winter months of the pandemic I made this piece to distract her from the realities of her isolation and loneliness. I used surreal color and animated, other-worldly flowers amongst the photo realistic foliage and blooms to create a composition that transports the viewer into this fanciful garden. I placed my mother and grandmother into the setting by using one of my mothers favorite photos from a memorable past celebration. There they sit blissfully oblivious to what is going on beyond this magical place.