Duende (noun)

Duende (noun) meaning …the mysterious power of art to move someone.

I learnt this new word today. I have never heard that word before, but I certainly have experienced it’s meaning. One of my favourite paintings is by Manet. It is titled “Dance at le Moulin de la Galette.”

It makes me emotional. I don’t know why, but I love the olde world romance of it. I can almost hear the music play and feel the closeness of the couple. The colours are sophisticated and restful to me.

I want my art to move people. I have seen someone cry over one of my paintings. It was a privilege. Some years ago, a curator at one of my floral painting exhibitions told me of a young girl who was having a hard week so she visited the exhibition a few times as the colourful paintings lifted her spirits and made her feel happy.

I have also had people laugh at my paintings….but that’s another story.