Tell Me of Your Hurt (Rainbow Motif)
Original mixed media painting on paper • Flavia Weedn (1930–2015)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Illustration / Inspirational Art / Naive Art Style
Medium & Technique
Acrylic, pastel, and ink on textured paper. Employs stylized line work, color washing, and hand-lettering with a characteristic 'Flavia' scumble/textured background effect.
Creation Period
Circa 1980s - 1990s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 16 inches (visible); Portrait format
Subject Description
A vertical composition featuring a hand-painted multi-color rainbow arching over a poignant handwritten message: 'Tell me of your hurt. I am here and my heart will listen.' The work symbolizes comfort, empathy, and emotional support, typical of the artist's thematic focus on human connection.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paper appears stable, though there is evidence of slight yellowing consistent with age and typical of works on paper from this era.
Estimated Market Value
$250 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$150 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Acquired from a private collection; piece features the artist's signature lower right. Flavia Weedn's work was widely distributed through boutiques and stationary companies like 'Flavia Publishing'.
Art Historical Significance
Flavia Weedn was a progenitor of the modern greeting card and inspirational gift industry. Her aesthetic, blending soft colors with evocative calligraphy, influenced late 20th-century commercial illustration and therapeutic art. This is a characteristic example of her 'golden age' of production.
Notable Features
Features the iconic cursive signature 'Flavia' in the lower right margin; includes the artist's signature hand-lettered calligraphy which is often more sought after than her printed editions.
Condition Issues
Minor acid burn from non-archival matting visible at the edges; slight fading of the blue pigment due to UV exposure; potential foxing spots on the upper left of the matting.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-mat with acid-free archival board; replace current glass with UV-protective museum glass to prevent further pigment fading; keep away from direct sunlight.
Collector Notes
Original Flavia