Flora Psychology" by Jenness Cortez

"I’ve turned a decidedly nontraditional eye to the world of flowers––those forms which constitute one of the most traditional and ubiquitous subjects in the history of art. Combining abstraction and realism, my intention is for these contemporary paintings to communicate both the intelligence and personalities of specific flowers, as well as the greater, invisible energy fields from which these forms arise.

Flowers may be so familiar that we often delude ourselves into thinking we really know these characters, even while finding them “sentimental”, “old fashioned” or “purely decorative”--if we notice them at all. Or, we may take genuine aesthetic pleasure in their brilliantly designed form, color and scent, yet give their lives no further thought. Familiarity has blinded us, precluding our valid perception of these outrageous, hyper-energetic manifestations of creative desire.

Their life’s work, we seem to believe, begins and ends in their service to us, as they grace our gardens and dining room tables, greeting cards and lapels. But I know these players well, and my intention is to show them for what they really are: physical manifestations of potent, raw, sexual energy. Those astounding energies are the real subject of my paintings. I am offering my visualized depictions of that energy in every square inch of the painting, for the delivering blossom is but one of that vibrational field’s tsunami of formerly invisible manifestations.

The flower itself is but the physical instrument of the greater vibrational field that whispers, sings and shouts its lust for union. Although to us flowers may be merely beautiful, they are--without exception--supremely well equipped agents, undertaking serious missions of seduction to ensure the continuation of their species. Their intention is accomplished with wit, grace, cunning and an individualized style and intelligence that delights us, despite the fact that it’s all really none of our business. We too are seduced. Innocent bystanders, perhaps, but nearly as susceptible as those targeted pollinators she intends to snare.”   — Jenness Cortez