Most of what I paint is based solidly in reality. Something I saw, someone I know; but yesterday I was doing an exercise that two different painters have suggested; to just doodle with colors on paper, try to keep it formless but pleasing to the eye. So I did that, and this peacock popped out.
I have never painted a peacock before but once I started I realized I could paint peacocks forever because they are so beautiful. The peacock was in the middle of a bunch of doodles, so I repainted him on a 6″ x 8″ piece of watercolor paper. He’s sitting on a structure which has either a plate full of cookies or a pile of gold coins in it. (I’m thinking it’s gold coins, how about you?)
To me he represents great beauty, mystery and hope for the future. He’s guarding the treasure in the box below him. So is the peacock the true treasure or is it the coins? Peacocks are not particularly aggressive, but they are very beautiful and alluring. In my youth I chased more than one peacock fruitlessly hoping for a feather. But anyway, I digress. . . Can someone help me with the story? I’m all ears. The winner gets a postcard from me.
This painting is for sale, $75.00
25 responses to “The Peacock’s Lair”
This is so wonderful. I like how the peacock is looking out overseeing the world.
The peacock guards the Gates of Paradise. His mate is out of view, as is the substantial part of the gate, except for it’s embellishment holding the gold coins. The sailing ship is mankind searching for paradise on the elusive ocean of life, when all they have to do is look up above the horizon and see how paradise was there and watching them the whole time.
(I googled peacock symbolism and one of it’s symbols was early belief that a pair of peacocks guarded the Gates of Paradise. The rest I made up.)
Wow, what a beautiful painting! I love the peacock and the beautiful pink and blue seascape. Happy PPF!
Interesting composition your imagination has conjured – works well 🙂
This is a beautiful piece – I love the soft pink sky. I’m with you on the gold coins – that’s what they look like to me. I imagine that someone on that boat has come to this mystical land in search of the key (which may or may not be in the bottom of the tall box the peacock is standing on and which is hidden by his tail) the coins are merely a red herring. What the key opens is another mystery altogether!!
This is a wonderful painting!!! I love peacocks!! One of my favorite creatures in life!
Hi Mimi,
I happened on your blog by way of Sue Pownall’s “Art of a Nomad,” and noticed that you are from Seattle! Funny how the blog-o-sphere works!
I admire your watercolors! Nice work!
Well, your imagination has no limits .. get a work as complete through fun doodles. Saludos
Beautiful painting, Mimi!
Welcome to PPF!
Very nice work!
The peacock is so beautifully rendered. Great Work!
The peacock is guarding the treasure in the box and awaiting her master’s return. Lovely piece! Happy PPF! 🙂
The peacock is guarding the treasure in the box until her master comes back. Peacocks make great watchdogs, so I’ve heard. I love them too! Wonderful work. Happy PPF. 🙂
This is beautiful and makes me want to add a peacock in one of my paintings!!
This is beautiful and makes me want to add a peacock in one of my painthings!!
I can’t do better than the stories already gathered but I will add that I love this painting! So many stories could be created around it 🙂
Wow…and here I was just going to compliment you on doing a great job with your first peacock. I think the sailors put him off the ship so he’d have a chance at finding a mate and stop shrieking in the night. Have you ever heard a peacock call?
Gorgeous work and loving the stories above where others have commented. Happy PPF
this is very sweet. I like the idea of the peacock guarding the gold!
Beautiful peaccock on guard. Soft colors. Very nice painting. Happy PPF!
Hard to beat Tricia’s tale I am sure!
I painted a peacock a couple of weeks ago for PPF and know what you mean – he was a pleasure to commit to canvas, even if he was a little haughty. If one bird knew how good looking he was, it was certainly that one!
Your bird seems much more gentile and guards his treasure carefully. I think he’s looking out over the Indian Ocean guarding the Princess’ dowry and waiting for her to sail in on that boat. She wants to marry a boy from a lower caste but everyone is against them. The peacock carried the dowry to the sea disguised among his feathers and hid it in this beautifully carved chest outside a trader’s shop.
The Princess will be there soon to gather gold, peacock and lover and sail off into the sunset returning a married woman!
Wonderful work…super beautiful!
Victoria
Hi Mimi, I enjoyed very much your watercolor paintings. This is a very beautiful peacock. I myself am a watercolor enthusiast but I am still learning. 🙂 Take care!
Cheers,
Elisa
http://harmonythoughts.com/
I like the idea of the beautiful bird guarding gold and the mystery of that and the boat. Belated HAPPY PPF wishes!
He is guarding golden kernels of maize that come from a Mayan shaman’s meadow. They are fabled to enamour one’s true love forever. He plans to share the meal with his beloved peahen Pavita to ensure she will never leave him. But when she comes by she realizes what he’s doing and refuses to partake of the golden kernels. She promises her love without the false enhancement of magic.