Black umbrellas have long been a favorite theme of mine in both paintings and photography. The first time I saw the painting Paris Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte I was mesmerized. There is something about the way the light kisses the umbrellas in that painting that captivates me.
I have always had an affinity for umbrellas anyway. They embody the romance of a rainy day and seem to be among the most feminine of utilitarian objects, with their sensuous lines; fabric stretched tightly over sheltering ribs, like a corset; the perfect curve of the wooden handle, the elongated tip at the top pulling it all together.
This series of photographs pays homage to the umbrella, to its flirtation with the morning light, and the mystery created beneath its protective arms.
Lady with Black Umbrella I
Lady with Black Umbrella II
Lady with Black Umbrella III
Lady with Black Umbrella IV
The lake in which I am standing in these photographs further adds to the mystery, the whimsy, and the painterly quality of these images. And the umbrella brings a new element to my Ladies of the Lake Series. To me, this seems the perfect marriage of light and shadow, of depth and atmosphere, of the practical and the improbable.
Until next time...
Anne