The Wisdom of Bumble Bees: A Childhood Memory Painted

Every artist has a story behind their work, a tapestry woven with memories, emotions, and personal histories. Today, I want to share the story behind the bumblebee detail in one of my latest paintings, a small yet significant element that holds a world of meaning for me.

As a child, I had a tendency to sulk, especially when things didn’t go my way. My mum would lovingly call me "Bumble." She would say I looked like a bumblebee when I pouted—round chubby cheeks, buzzing with emotion, and yet endearingly persistent. This nickname, given in moments of tenderness and understanding, became a symbol of our unique bond.

One summer day, I remember sitting in our garden, watching real bumblebees flit from flower to flower. Mum sat beside me, explaining how these little creatures, despite their round bodies and seemingly impossible flight, managed to accomplish their tasks with unwavering determination. She drew a parallel between the bumblebee’s persistence and my own stubbornness, turning what I perceived as a flaw into a strength.

This memory stayed with me, becoming a source of comfort and wisdom throughout my life. When I decided to include a bumblebee in my painting, it was more than just a decorative detail. It was an homage to my mum, a tribute to the lessons she taught me, and a reminder of the strength found in persistence and resilience.

In this particular piece, the bumblebee is large and prominent. It serves as a metaphor for the wisdom passed down from my mum, encapsulating her gentle guidance and the warmth of her love. Every brushstroke is infused with the memory of her voice, her stories, and the way she could turn simple moments into profound life lessons.

As I paint, I am reminded that the wisdom of the bumblebee—perseverance, adaptability, and the beauty of small things—mirrors the essence of my artistic journey. It’s a symbol of the enduring impact of my mother’s words and the timeless nature of her love.

Through this blog, I hope to share not just my art, but the stories and wisdom that inspire it. Each detail, like the humble bumblebee, carries a piece of my past, a lesson learned, and a tribute to those who have shaped me. So, the next time you see a bumblebee, remember that even the smallest creatures can teach us the most profound lessons, just as my mum did for me.

The Heart of a Horse Story

The Heart of a Horse

“You occasionally see one, and it’s the thrill of a lifetime.  But mostly all you ever see is a cloud of dust after they are gone.  It’s their stubborn ability to survive that makes them so remarkable.” - Velma “Wild Horse Annie” Johnston

This painting was inspired by the story of a mustang stallion called Spirit and the heart of a horse who yearns for freedom. Read below for the story of Spirit.

Spirit is a Kiger Mustang stallion, whose original name was Donner.

His parents were captured by the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon.  This meant that Spirit was born in captivity.

He has beautiful colouring, wide-set eyes and a multicoloured thick mane and tail.

Spirit became famous because Dreamworks Animation chose him when he was a colt, to be a model for the animators working on a film called Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.

They selected him because he was such a beautiful example of the Kiger Mustang breed.

The film tells the story of the old west “from the heart of a horse”. Spirit is a strong mustang who eventually becomes the leader of his herd.  He protects his mother and the other horses from danger.

But storms and mountain lions were nothing compared to a new type of predator that Spirit discovered in the hills.

One night Spirit comes across some chained up horses, and cowboys sleeping nearby.  When the men awoke and saw how magnificent Spirit was, they captured him and take him to a US Cavalry Fort.

Once there, Spirit meets ‘The Colonel’, who is mean and vicious.  He gives orders that Spirit must be tamed, however, Spirit resists all attempts to tame him.  The Colonel ties Spirit to a post without food or water for three days to weaken his spirit.  Once the stallion is weak enough, the Colonel sits on his back and boasts that any wild horse can be tamed.  Spirit finds the strength to throw him off, and in anger and humiliation the Colonel tries to shoot him.

However, a Lakota Native American, named Little Creek, who had also been brought to the fort and tied up, manages to escape and saves Spirit and they both escape from the fort.

They both meet up with Little Creek’s mare called Rain and the other natives, who decide to capture Spirit for themselves.

When they get to the Lakota village, Little Creek tries to tame Spirit by being kind to him but Spirit does not want to be tamed by anyone.  Little Creek ties Spirit to Rain to try and teach him to not be wild and Spirit falls in love with Rain.

Little Creek realises that Spirit will never be tamed and decided to let him go.  As Spirit is about to leave, the Colonel and his men storm the village, so Spirit turns back to help them.

The Colonel shoots Rain and she falls into the river.  The Colonel then tries to shoot Little Creek, but the stallion charges at the Colonel and his horse so that the shot misses.  He then tries to help Rain but they both go over the waterfall and Rain is injured.

They both survive the fall but the Cavalry capture Spirit again as he won’t leave Rain’s side.  They take Spirit and leave Rain to die.

Little Creek helps Rain and promises to free Spirit.

Spirit is forced to work on the railway pulling a steam train.  However, he sensed that the railroad was going to destroy his homeland and so he breaks free and frees the other horses.  As they escape there is an accident with one of the trains and it causes an explosion which sets the forest on fire.  Spirit becomes trapped as the chain around his neck gets caught on a fallen tree.  Luckily Little Creek saves him and they both jump in the river.The next day the Colonel and his men find Little Creek and Spirit and chase them through the Grand Canyon where they get trapped on one side of a gorge.  Spirit won’t give up and makes a jump that gets him to the other side of the gorge.  The Colonel is so amazed at the heart of the stallion that he accepts defeat.

Little Creek and Spirit return to the village to find that Rain is now better, so Little Creek sets them both free after naming the stallion, Spirit Who Could Not Be Broken.  Spirit and Rain return to reunite with his herd.

Story originally by Jeffrey Katzenberg

The Story and Inspiration of King

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion” ~ Viktor E. Frankl

This first painting in my Freedom series was inspired by a lion called Jon.  I was so moved by his story that I felt compelled and inspired to paint a lion. Being an eternal optimist, I love happy endings, and so painted the ending that I wanted.

Read below for Jon’s story.

A lion called Jon who was rescued from a travelling circus in France.  He was being kept illegally in horrific conditions.  When he was found, he was so badly emaciated that he was almost half the weight he should have been.  He had also been de - clawed, had so many missing teeth, and bore deep scars on his body of his abuse.  He had spent 13 years in a cramped cage with the travelling circus, and had been used for illegal purposes.

Jon was rescued by the Born Free Foundation, One Voice a French animal rescue charity, and French wildlife rescue centre Tonga Terre d’Accuil.

Whilst recuperating at Tonga Terre d’Accuil, Jon improved physically and mentally and came out of his shell as he grew in confidence.  He played, felt grass beneath his feet for the first time, became vocal, and after operations on his teeth, was able to start enjoying his food and gain weight.

Sadly Jon didn’t make it to his new permanent home at a sanctuary in Italy.  He died after a short illness because of his appalling condition.  Thankfully he knew peace, care and love in his final 18 months.

This painting is how I like to imagine Jon - beautiful, majestic and free as nature intended.