Moon Series

This series of 13 large (5ft x 4 ft) Moons charting a year, started with what I thought would be just one painting. I painted it as a direct response to the beauty of the full moon visible on April 8th 2020: the quiet, the isolation and awfulness of the global pandemic making it an even more intense experience.  It was while painting the first one that I realised the full scope that this large circular motif could give me. The circle is a line with no beginning or end, representing the natural cycle of things, a shape which I can draw with paint, a composition which can be inside the canvas rectangle or break the edges, with endless opportunity to explore colour and mark making. I also made a series of smaller moons and mono-prints.

If you’re interested in purchasing any of these paintings, please email me: deirdreelphick@icloud.com

Pink Moon

April’s Pink Moon is a Native American name that is thought to refer to Moss Pink, a wildflower that blooms at that time of year.

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed

Strawberry Moon

The June or Strawberry moon is so named by Native American Tribes to mark the ripening of the berries.

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed

Buddha Moon

The Buddha was born on The Day of Vesak, the full moon day in May in the year 623 B.C. His enlightenment and his death also happened at the time of the full moon. 

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed

Buck Moon

The full moon in July is called The Buck Moon because the antlers of the male deer in North America are in full growth at this time.

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed

Sturgeon Moon

North American fishing tribes called August’s full moon the Sturgeon moon as the fish appeared in great numbers, spawning at this time.

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed

Barley Moon

September’s full moon is at the time of harvesting grains hence The Barley Moon.

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed

Harvest Moon

2020 was an unusual year in many ways, it had 13 instead of 12 full moons. Including The Harvest Moon on the 1st October.

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed

Beaver Moon

Native American Tribes and fur trappers hunted beavers for their pelts during November.

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed SOLD

Cold Moon

Not a surprising name for December’s full moon in the northern hemisphere.

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed

Wolf Moon

The Native American Seneca tribes believe that a wolf sung the moon into existence. The January full moon was when their evocative calls rang out as they search for food in the depth of winter.

5ft x 4ft, unframed

Hunters Moon (a blue moon)

The second full moon in October 2020 after autumn’s Harvest Moon and, with cold winter on it’s way, time to go hunting.

Acrylic on canvas - 5ft x 4ft, unframed

Snow Moon

The Snow Moon in February is aptly named after abundant snowfall.

5ft x 4ft, unframed

Holi Moon

The Hindu Holi Festival of colours which starts on the evening of the March full moon. People take to the streets dancing, singing, feasting and throwing colourful powders at each other. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, and of spring over winter.

5ft x 4ft, unframed SOLD

Small Moons

The full moon has always felt special.  It is the same moon that humans have always looked up to throughout time. The names chosen by various cultures throughout history often celebrate the natural world or sacred things, and I have borrowed some of these names as titles for this series of 12 small moon paintings.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the paintings, please email me: deirdreelphick@icloud.com

La Pyei Nei Moon - pink,

The Buddha taught that The Uposatha day held at the time of the  full moon (la pyei nei) is for “cleansing the defiled mind resulting in inner calm and joy”.

Acrylic on canvas, 61cm x 51cm, unframed

Khunso Moon - gold/blue,

Khunso the ancient Egyptian moon god, the god of love, he was thought to influence the fertility of people and livestock and to have absolute power over evil spirits that caused disease and death.

Acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 50cm, unframed

Ayla Moon - yellow/purple,

Ayla synonymous with moonlight. In Turkish it refers to the halo around the moon.

Acrylic on canvas, 55cm x 40cm, unframed

Luna Moon - aqua

Luna the ancient Roman moon goddess, a brave and independent spirit often shown driving her chariot across the sky.  Respected by the Romans as she helped them tell the time.

Acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 50cm, unframed

Phalguna Moon - pink/copper

During Phalguna the final month of the Hindu lunar year, the festival Holi is held to celebrate the arrival of Spring. It is an opportunity to meet others, play, laugh, forget and forgive.

Acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 50cm, unframed 

Tsukimi Moon- yellow/orange/purple

Tsukimi translates into “moon-viewing”.   In Japan, it is a festival dedicated to enjoying the autumn moonlight.

Acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 50cm, unframed

Yin-Yang Moon - yellow/red

In ancient Chinese philosophy Yin-Yang is a concept where opposite forces are seen as interconnected and counterbalancing.

Acrylic on canvas,61cm x 50cm, unframed

Green Moon - green

Green connected with Nature meaning new beginnings and growth and caring for the environment.

Acrylic on canvas, 55cm x 45cm, framed

Selene Moon - purple/orange/silver,

Selene was the ancient Greek goddess of the moon, she was regarded as the personification of the moon itself and of life’s constant changes. 

Acrylic on canvas, 55cm x 45cm, framed

Lorca Moon - red/green,

Named after the Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca. For Lorca green is the colour of the Andalusian flag and reference to its Arab heritage. “Green how I want you green, under the Gypsy”s moon”

Acrylic on canvas, 65cm x 49cm, framed

Purnima Moon - purple/green 

As the moon radiates its full brilliance on Kartik Purnima or full moon day, Hindu devotees observe, fast, and pray to “the preserver” Lord Vishnu - the entity that protects the universe from destruction.

Acrylic on canvas, 64cm x 54cm, framed

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Life Studies

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Mono Prints (Moons)