Nympheus Luminansis, light in the shade of the weeping willow

This painting was designed with a diagonal composition to give rhythm and dynamism to the work. The water lilies appear to be resting on the reflections of the colorful branches of the weeping willow, which bring verticality to the whole. The artist specifically chose this view, without traditional perspective, because it reminded her of a particular moment: when she watched, from the Japanese bridge in Claude Monet's garden, the reflections undulate and the light illuminate the water lilies. One detail in particular catches the eye: a red maple leaf, placed at the heart of the composition, which captures the viewer's gaze and serves as a focal point.
Each layer of color, created with oil paints made by a master colorist using pure, natural pigments, enriches the layer beneath it without affecting its tone, bringing greater strength and harmony to the whole. Depending on the lighting, the hues seem to evolve, offering changing shades that recall the variability of human feelings in the face of both joy and sorrow.
This painting is the second one the artist has created. As she worked on it and created the reflections, the artist's imagination began to wander. She rediscovered her childlike spirit and saw fantastical beings appear at the bend of a curve or a line. From that moment on, this phenomenon of pareidolia—the perception of images or faces in abstract forms—found its way into some of the paintings in the series, further enriching their interpretation.
With Lumière à l’ombre du saule pleureur (Light in the Shadow of the Weeping Willow), Laurence Saunois combines rigorous composition, technical mastery, and openness to the imagination. This painting perfectly illustrates the artist's desire to explore light and its reflections, while leaving room for the emergence of inner and sensitive visions.