This artwork was created for my newly broken relationship with my ex-boyfriend, Matt. The original photo was one I took of some deep pink roses he gave me in the end of the summer. They were a few days old, so not looking their best anymore--one rose in front was drooping, and two of its petals lay on the table. But to me, it was beautiful... the romantic tragedy of wilting roses. So I took the picture... at this point doubts about "us" had crept into my mind, and the photo may have meant something to me then--a foreshadow of what it means now.
It was sad to finally let go... Matt and I had been together for about 2 and a half years, and in that time we became incredibly close. We knew each other inside and out, shared so many experiences, and usually overcame our most formidable foe--distance. But it simply didn't hold together, and it turns out it wasn't meant to be... We parted ways in late September, 2003. Perhaps we can keep in touch, though that is often a very hard thing to do (especially with a relationship that lasted as long as ours did). I suppose we'll see.
There is a certain loss in this piece, along with chaotic dullness... shadows of what used to be. But at the same time, there is a ray of love and hope that may still shine through. I would rather have this entire picture than one without such a beautiful past, without the faded memories of that past. The shadows of how we were are beautiful... and they will remain, as I will never forget my first true love.
(Yeah, I know... mushy.)