By Samantha Wortelhock
Original Painting and Lmited Edition Giclee Print Size: 1000 x 650mm

Vanity Lair

How much does beauty seduce our senses
Based as it is on a shaky foundation
Beating truth out of our faithful eyes
Until they are knocked out senseless

When all around us beautiful birds of a wing
Live abandoning all but their joy
Airborne they teach us to be objective
To embrace love in the songs that they sing

They need not a mirror to know that they shine
By their Nature they do not question
Who they are or why they are here
Yet they are aware that they are divine

So why is it so hard for we humans to cope
With the fact that we will all be older
When there is beauty in the eyes of an elder
The pools of wisdom are clear
Life is behind them
Acceptance is home
And pure love is so very dear.

The Story Behind The Painting
Six native Australian birds gather on the branches of a rainforest tree. They stare into mirrors to admire and question their beauty. The image is a paradox and reflection of man's obsession with appearance. Our lesson from nature is to do as they do and not allow our veneer to stifle our creativity or deny us the richness of growing old with dignity.