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The luminous floral paintings of Willa Spivak possess a
very sensual splendor. Her exquisite use of color and dramatic lighting
creates an undeniable allure that has captivated collectors of her work
for over 40 years.
The flower, long a symbol of life and love, remains a dominant theme and
holds special meaning for the artist. Willa celebrates the parallel
between the short-lived, but wondrous life of a flower with that of our
transient yet magnificent human lives. Her flowers are delicate, powerful
and timeless all at once.
She prefers the dark background which creates an illusion of depth,
allowing the viewer to be drawn into the painting by the vibrancy of
color. The camera captures her ideas which come at every working and
sleeping moment and are the artist's inspiration. Using pieces of numerous
images, and enlarging them is tantamount to the process of her work.
Over the years, Willa has become proficient in other mediums but oils are
her favorite. The sense of peacefulness she feels while painting with oils
is re-experienced by those who view her work. The pigments of the paint
seem to dictate the flow, and a feeling of peace is received by the artist
while executing the painting.
Willa's current work also includes sea shells, fruits and even golden
rings....all imbued with a vibrancy and magical aura that has become the
hallmark of oil paintings by Willa Spivak.
Spivak was inspired by her artist uncle and started working in pastels as
a teenager. "My uncle told me not to take lessons. He said I had a natural
talent, and when the time came, I would fall into the right place. Ten
years ago, I took up painting professionally."
Through the years, she's worked in many mediums: calligraphy, watercolor
and brush painting. "I wanted to know all the ramifications of art and I
eventually fell into the flowers. They are so sensual. Everything has
curves and forms. They captivate me. They draw me inside to their centers.
It seems I have found my niche, but I still like to paint other things," she
says, pointing..."leaves, shells, the Greek urn, gold rings. Some of my
things doe look abstract but they are actually of something."
As can be seen from her paintings, Spivak is inspired by artist, Georgia
O'Keefe, but she's also inspired by life and her environment.
"There is something new to explore every day. There's a reason for being.
I flew in a hot air balloon because I had to try it. I was even thinking
of skydiving. I've tried things because they're there for the trying.
That's why I like to paint a seashell for a change."
"I'm inspired by Palm Beach," she adds. "When I walk my dog on North
County Road and along the Intracoastal, I feel I've reached the pinnacle.
I'm so content here. It's a little bit of heaven. I can honestly say I
have everything I want."
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