a love story, how two became one
by Natalie Wetzel

This painting was my wedding gift to my daughter and her new husband. It is a celebration of their love and the journey that has led them to marriage. This mixed media piece is likely the most intimate and symbolic work I’ve created to date. Usually I leave it up to the viewer to decipher what hidden messages or meaning I have behind each choice made and every layer created. However, I thought I’d share a little about my thought processes and intentions with this one. The dots, both black and white, symbolize Savannah and Tyler’s individual steps taken. The lacy gold ribbon symbolizes God’s love and is meant to remind them that He holds them both in the palm of his hands and that his banner over them is love. As you meander down and through the painting, you will see various places they have either traveled or lived throughout their journey. You will also find words hidden deep within the layers of media. These words are very intimate ones that were written by both Sav and Ty to one another during various stages of their lives. I included these fragments of conversation as a reminder to them of how their love for one another has grown and remained steadfast despite so many obstacles they’ve encountered. Toward the bottom of the painting, you will find a large circle where the black and white dots collide into one nucleus. That nucleus symbolizes their union in marriage and their anticipated lifetime of love together.