Welcome back to another instalment of Art of the Week. This week's featured piece is one of the most personal things I have ever created, and sharing it with you today means more to me than I can properly put into words. This is Remember Me Rose — a tribute to my mum.
If you knew my mum, you knew she was an absolute force of nature. She loved life, and she lived it more vibrantly, fiercely, and fully than anybody else I have ever met. But when it came to flowers, she was wonderfully particular. She really wasn't a fan of standard flowers or big bouquets — she always said they just reminded her of funerals. The only exceptions were forget-me-nots and roses. Those were the only flowers she truly, genuinely loved. So, when it came to creating a tribute to her, the Rose became the perfect symbol for my mum.
If you look closely at the artwork, you'll notice that every little detail serves a purpose. At the base of the stem, the root is still attached. I drew it this way because she was taken far too soon from this earth. She was still so full of life, and so deeply rooted to this world and to our family.
Clustered around her, you will find three distinct little creatures — a bee, a ladybird, and a beetle. These represent myself and my two siblings. No matter what, we were always gathered around her, safe in her garden.
But the real heart of the entire piece lies in the interaction between the Rose and the bee. If you look at the way they are positioned, the Rose is gently leaning down, sharing one last quiet moment. It's the Rose saying its final farewell to the bee. For me, drawing that moment was the only way I could process the devastating weight of saying goodbye to my own mum.
Art has a beautiful way of holding onto the people we love, even when they are no longer here to hold us back. It keeps their stories alive, and it reminds us of the roots that keep us grounded.
Remember Me Rose is a celebration of a woman who lived life to the absolute fullest, and a reminder of an unbreakable family bond. I am incredibly grateful to be able to share her memory with you through this piece.
If this story resonates with you, or if it reminds you of someone beautiful you've lost, Remember Me Rose is now available in the shop as a high-quality, ready-to-frame art print. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for letting me share a piece of my soul with you today.
Collect Her
Remember Me Rose is available as an art print, ACEO card, and greeting card — each one a little piece of her story to take home with you.