$60.00–$110.00

The Palace in Balchik! It is located in Europe, in a small Balkan country, called Bulgaria, on the Black Sea coast. A unique place, created by a unique woman. A (Romanian) Queen of the 19th century who as if with a magic wand had mixed up the East and the West in her blood, together with the belief that religions of all times could be reconciled in the Baha’i’s teachings, who saturated the buildings of that palace residence with love and a longing for beauty. Fabulous, well kept large garden on the beach full of beauty and symbols.

Fascinated I moved into a studio near the palace (now made public) overlooking the sea and just started painting.

This is a painting of Marie’s grave, situated near an old healing spring. It’s in the centre of the palace complex but its presence is almost undetectable to make the point that everyone is mortal. The burial place is designed before Marie’s death; the stone is carved from a white Balchik rock and covered with ornaments and symbols. She asked for her heart to be returned to this palace in Balchik, and so do I. A symbolic path, as if descending to the eternal, leads to the cross, buried in spring pink blossom.

“There may be more hatred than love in the world today. But love is stronger and one day, even if I am not here to witness it, love will undoubtedly prevail.”