“If there
is no opposition, nothing to push against, we would merely float. If
that was the case, how would we grow?. How can we know joy if we never
know pain? We all have our issues to contend with and it is through that
conflict that personal growth is found. Reward comes from engaging in
challenges, finding solutions and learning endurance. At the same time,
is it necessary that this process of resolving has to be a fight? By
changing our perspective, could we see those challenges another way?
What if instead of fighting through life, we dance? And Then They Danced
is a painting about finding beauty in the battle. The figure chooses
this dance, aware and onstage, sharing her conquest and what she is to
gain. Bullfighting is traditional, dangerous and potentially beautiful
but cruel. If I were a matador, I would rather dance. I would turn that
fight into something beautiful"
“I remind myself to ‘be
where my feet are’ often,” says artist Cassandra Barney. “My mind tends
to drift toward the future, sometimes planning or worrying about what
lies ahead, missing the present. Being present is where life is the most
rich and colorful. I've even found myself consciously feeling the soles
of my feet on the ground to get myself there.
“I really like the way the images on the vintage wallpaper enriched the
idea. The hunters in the background could be a distraction but the
figure stands with her feet on the ground, amongst the most beautiful
flowers.”
“I
was listening to a talk in church about the Atonement. It's something I've heard
about my entire life, but never really tried to understand. As used in the
scriptures, ‘to atone’ is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the
effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be
reconciled to God. Jesus Christ was the only one capable of carrying out the
Atonement for all mankind and did so.
“I had a moment of clarity and while I thought, I drew in my sketchbook. I did a
sketch of pure white petals falling from the sky like a gift. The petals are
mallow which is a symbol of gentleness. As they touched the figure they took
away her impurities, leaving her clean and perfect. The red petals symbolize the
blood that Christ spilt for us ... and all the figure had to do was look up and
accept the gift.”
The rose has been used for
centuries to convey messages without words. The Latin expression sub rosa
(literally “under the rose”) means something told in secret, thus the rose has
long been a symbol of confidentiality.
The woman here sits sub rosa. Your Name is Safe in My Mouth means that she will
never speak badly of you. This means more than simply
your-secrets-are-her-secrets. This painting is about discovering the trust in
love because having trust in a partner is invaluable. Nothing that will hurt the
ones you love should come from your mouth. It is one way of honoring the people
that you care about.
I’ve learned that
people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people
will never forget how you made them feel.
—Maya
Angelou
“The first time I
put on an apron,” says artist Cassandra Barney, “I
thought it created an illusion of working very hard,
which I enjoyed. I also thought it was sassy to
stomp around the kitchen in heels and my apron … but
that symbol has transformed for me into an image of
charity and hard work. It’s not necessarily about
motherhood because there are, I think, opportunities
in every season of our lives for us to give to those
around us. With this painting, I’d like to pay
tribute to those who give because they love.”
In "Little
Secrets," a woman is visited by a small bird with a secret trapped in its
beak. Whether the woman has just confided in the bird, or is hoping to hear
its news, one thing is clear: this bird is not telling.
Like elegant
mirrors, Cassandra Barney's paintings of women reflect our emotions and
innermost desires. Hortensia's eyes may seem wistful, but do her lips betray
the hint of a smile? It's up to you to discover Hortensia's secret.
''The two women in
My Fate is Not Your Fate represent the fork in a lifelong road. As children,
they may have shared similar experiences, but in adulthood their paths take
different directions. Although they stand beside one another as they have for
years, their postures indicate alternative possibilities. We all may share
many common threads but, we don't all have to want the same thing."
-Cassandra Christensen-Barney
Listen. Can you
hear it? That little tune in the air, a simple reminder to stop and smell
the roses - or perhaps, a clue to the meaning of life itself. Each of us are
given little gifts, moments that make us see the people, places and
experiences which comprise our world in a whole new way. In Cassandra
Barney's latest limited edition, Eve is experiencing one of those moments.
She appears doe-eyed, lost in her own song, as her companions stare at the
viewer. It is the beauty of Cassandra's charming women, combined with this
evergreen message, that gently remind us to look and listen to the little
moments.
Inspired by
mythology and folklore, Barney’s women often take on layers of rich
symbolism and Demetria is no exception. Named
for the Greek goddess of harvest, Demertia glows with fertility and
abundance.
"I think of the
garden as a sanctuary, a safe place. The women in this painting finds
herself in a
world of her own creation, having discovered the bliss of her own space. In
Fleur, our heroine wears a flower in her hair so she can be reminded of her
special place wherever she may roam."
-Cassandra Christensen-Barney
At first glance,
the viewer is drawn to the rich imagery and color of Cassandra Christensen
Barney’s Fine Art Limited Editions. One of the staples of Barney’s exquisite
portraiture is her ability to layer her work with rich symbolism. The
Engagement explores concepts of promise, commitment and hope. The uncaged
bird chooses to offer a gift, presenting our heroine with a poppy—which is
both beautiful and fragile. Within the poppy is a ring, the symbol of
eternity and a flame, symbolizing desire. There are also a pair of poppies
entwined and waiting to blossom.
Influenced by art of the 16th century, artist Cassandra loves the narrative
aspect of portraits. Each of her truly unique paintings is a frank,
compelling and often mysterious portrait of the “muses” of our daily
lives.The feminine charms of her characters have captured the attention of
the sophisticated fine art collector.
The Bridesmaids
unveils a whimsical trio getting ready to participate in the wedding party.
Possibly posed for a snapshot, this moment in time captures each of their
personalities as they find themselves caught in a moment of contemplation.
The truth is... you can’t say for sure what exactly Cassandra Barney’s bevy
of painted ladies are thinking, but these three undoubtedly conjure
suggestions of joy and anticipation.
'' Red is a
stimulant that conjures up a range of seemingly conflicting emotions. I like
red as confidence, happiness and prosperity. But red can also suggest power,
refusing to sink into the background – even when it is the background, as is
the case here.
Dora is not in front of this background by chance. Although she may
look simply passive, the red suggests the fire inside her. ''
“Ambiguous and
poignant, they are not vain, not beautiful in the classic sense, unafraid to
bare their melancholy and even show some sadness. Their beauty is in their
simplicity, which easily allows the viewer in and to wonder what they are
thinking.
Adara and Her Sister
is rich in symbolism.
The name Adara translates as “beauty,” the butterfly is fragile and
short-lived, and the vines which surround them subtly suggest the bonds of
family.''
-Cassandra Christensen-Barney
