Well! It sure has been awhile since I have uploaded here! However, I am very happy to say my latest oil painting, “The Sweet Breath of Morning” is now complete. It took a little longer than anticipated, but I am very happy with how it turned out. 

Oil painting artwork of a girl with a flowery white dress sitting in a field holding a seedling while European robins fly around her by Christina Ridgeway

The painting was made on Belgian linen with oils, measuring  55 x 40 cm.

I originally came up with this concept 7 odd years ago, back when I lived in southern Sweden. These fields border Svaneholm Castle, outside of Skurup, and it is close to where I lived when I first moved to Sweden.

When I took the reference photos for this painting, we were about to move from Skåne up to Västra Götaland, where I have my little studio now. It was a point of change. Many things, people, places, were slipping away, and I knew despite the heartache, I would need to plant new seeds.

Oil painting close up of a brunette girl sitting in a field holding a seedling.

Seed of Change

Now, as I faced a similar crossroads, I felt it was finally time to make this painting. I wanted to include little European robins, as it reminded me of the bird from one of my favorite childhood films, “The Secret Garden”. The little robin led Mary to the door leading to the gardens and so, I thought, these little birds could do the same. A doorway to a new future, something you could create and mold yourself. 

European robin singing in field oil painting on canvas by Christina Ridgeway

I do believe that things happen for a reason, though those reasons may be entirely unclear to start with. Somehow, looking back, I always see what the greater picture was. I like to believe that even though the sky seems stormy and the ground dry and brittle… little seeds will eventually grow and I will know where the path was taking me all the while.

close up of a european robin flying over field with trees in the background oil painting by Christina Ridgeway

I hope you enjoyed reading about “The Sweet Breath of Morning” and viewing the pictures! 

This painting is currently for sale, so if you would like to have her in your home – feel free to check her out on my Etsy site! Alternatively, you can always contact me with questions or inquiries. I greatly appreciate all the support <3 Have a wonderful week!