This painting is called, “Stand Tall” because of the extreme exaggeration of the flower’s tall stem.
![Stand Tall. 36" x 12", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Stand-Tall-3.jpg)
The whole thing is stretched vertically, and one meaning behind the title is an encouragement to reach outside our comfort zones, stretching just a little farther into becoming our best selves.
![Detail: Stand Tall. 36" x 12", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Stand-Tall-detail1.jpg)
The flower petals are arranged perfectly, the flower’s form proud and graceful.
![Detail: Stand Tall. 36" x 12", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Stand-Tall-detail2.jpg)
The many layers of paint, thick and thin, work together to create interesting effects–tiny delicate rivulets down the canvas alongside thick gloppy drips.
![Detail: Stand Tall. 36" x 12", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Stand-Tall-detail3.jpg)
As we reach the bottom of the canvas, the red drips down over an inky darkness speckled through with tiny splashes of color.
![Stand Tall. 36" x 12", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Stand-Tall-2.jpg)
This impossibly tall flower on the narrow, vertical 3-foot canvas creates a feeling of elevation.
![Stand Tall. 36" x 12", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Stand-Tall-with-plant.jpg)
![Art by Cedar Lee in home setting: Stand Tall. 36" x 12", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Stand-Tall-inroom.jpg)
In the studio, you can see the painting among my other recent artwork, (bottom left) the glistening drips of paint still very wet here.
![Eclipse and Lotus artwork in Cedar Lee studio: left-right, top-bottom: "A Dream of Joy and Sorrow," "Eclipse Day Climber," "Stand Tall," "Against All Odds"](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Stand-Tall-scale.jpg)
These vertical-format lotus paintings look amazing alone and together. Here they are together in the afternoon sun streaming in through the studio doors.
![Cedar Lee Lotus paintings: left-right: "Stand Tall," "Free Spirit," "Easy Growth"](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/36x12-Lotus-Paintings2.jpg)
![Cedar Lee Lotus paintings: left-right: "Stand Tall," "Free Spirit," "Easy Growth"](https://www.artbycedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/36x12-Lotus-Paintings1.jpg)