On Feb 20, 2022, my niece got married. This painting is my symbolic dream for them, and my wedding present.

Everything in the painting is symbolic. Starting with the books. Her groom is incredibly romantic. He proposed to her in a very special way, honoring something about her that he really loves- her love of books. From toddler-hood she has loved books more than toys, treats, or almost anything in the world. So knowing this, he set things up in a book store. He had hollowed out a place for the ring in a copy of her favorite childhood book. On the blank page in front he wrote his proposal asking her to marry him. In the store he pretended to knock the book off the shelf and then knelt on one knee in front of her to pick it up. "What's this? Look! Someone wrote in this book," he said. She looked in the book and was shocked, surprised, amazed, and overjoyed. Obviously she said yes.

So books are in this painting for their start on their journey to adventure and their own happy ever after. I borrowed the idea of the books being a stair case from The Art Sherpa's fantasy painting tutorial. Loved it. And the book theme also shows up in the back ground as a giant book opened up to create bridges over the waterfalls.

Other symbols include:

There is a ladybug in the foreground that ties to my niece's nickname since infancy.

I tried to paint Indian Paintbrush flowers at the beginning of the stairs (those spiky red, yellow flowers at bottom right corner), Indian Paintbrush symbolizes embracing our own special qualities to calmly and comfortably forge a new path in life. If you think they look more like tulips, well that's ok, because tulips symbolize perfect deep love. Either flower is equally great for starting off.

There are pink, red, orange, and yellow roses in the painting. Pink symbolizes gentleness, happiness, gratefulness, and joy. Red symbolizes romance, love, beauty, and courage. Orange is for life, energy, passion, and excitement. Yellow roses are friendship, joy, and new beginnings.

Wisteria symbolizes long or eternal life, which I believe is a promise from Jehovah that we can look forward to, and I want everyone I love to be in paradise forever. Beneath the wisteria on the right of the stairs, there are little pink and white flowers that are dogwood flowers. They represent purity, strength, and affection.

Japanese Maple, the big red tree, that symbolizes peace and serenity.

I thought weeping willows would have a sad symbolism, but was surprised by how deep and positive the meaning really is. It symbolizes the balance, harmony, and growth through storms and life's changes. It represents hope, a sense of belonging, and safety; the ability to let go of pain and suffering to grow new, strong, and bold.

In the far, far distance, there are pink flowers all over the hills. Those are pink azaleas. They mean familial duty, remembrance of family, and the desire to always return home.

Cattails mean an end to all conflict, peace.

Waterfalls symbolize a constant change in life but forever present. Waterfalls are powerful, always flowing, unstoppable. Life is like that. It is constantly changing, on every level. We can't fight it and keep things exactly the same. But we can be energized by the flow. And we can have some things in our life that flow with us, becoming a permanent part of the waterfall. Let that be each other.

I also added details to the dress that would help my niece remember her special day every time she looks at it, because it looks just like her dress.

This is the most personal painting I have ever done up to this date, and I am so happy to give it to her. Painting helps me express things so much better than words can.