The Nest
Artwork Description
“I was listening to a song by Nora Jones,” explains James Christensen. “At one point she sings, ‘In a boat that’s built of sticks and hay, we drifted from the shore . . . .’ It occurred to me that a new marriage is like a tiny nest of sticks and twigs and on the river of life, our relationships act like a boat that holds us together as we travel along its meandering path. Through their journey together, this newlywed couple will build stronger supports into their fledgling nest until it will be a shelter able to withstand even the fiercest of storms.
“The shoreline of the river is bountiful with signs that good fortune will accompany this newlywed couple throughout their passage. Heart-shaped bushes populate the undergrowth along the river’s edge. Lemons, a universal symbol of marital happiness, ripen abundantly on a tree. Next to it, the oranges signify that they hope to start a family. The white lilies are an indication of purity and virtue and the irises represent faith and hope. Peace and friendship in the family can be expected since a pair of swallows blesses this couple with their presence.”
