Coming January 13, 2022 the newest collection of oil paintings is here! “Happy Florals” consists of 16 framed paintings depicting vibrant and abstracted bouquets of flowers.

Why flowers? A million artists have painted them….

Right now, for me, it’s the variety and uniqueness of the sum of its parts. Each flower brings new strengths and beauty, together making each other better.

Concept

For the record, as per usual, I’m not really talking about flowers. I’m talking about people 😚


They remind us to be ourselves. To shine and to help others shine. We need each other and we are better together.

Emotion

These are light, expressive, and anything but fussy. Painted with rich and sensitive color, they include just enough gesture to the flowers to give the essence of their magnificence without being literal.

Essence

While creating these pieces, my mind drifted to people in my life I admire. So I thought it would be fun to name pieces after the qualities that I’m so grateful the people around me have!

Brave, vibrant, creative, compassionate, a fighter… so many times those amazing traits go unacknowledged and this project has reminded me how important it is to tell someone when they amaze you.

Details

• They are all squares. To be honest, this decision was simply an intuitive one. There is something really satisfying about a square shape, and I find I am drawn to it.

• Framed with natural wood frames: Again, another intuitive decision, but one that is really exciting. These frames came as raw wood and I sealed them with three coats to give them a more durable and glossy finish. I love the thinness of the edges but also the deep set of them. It gives enough finish to the florals without too much.

  
  

  (note some frames are lighter wood than others)

  
  

• Sizes: 6”x6”, 12”x12” and three 24”x24” pieces

I pictured these being little moments of joy in the home. The home is a special place: it’s where we rest, it’s where we reflect, it’s where we gear up for the next adventure. In an ideal world, it is our safe place, our nourishing place, and where we get to feel most like ourselves. 

Flowers

Throughout the past year, I have been collecting images of bouquets that inspired me. Some have been gifts from my husband <3, others inspired by bridal bouquets, and still others simply assemblages from my personal collection of dried and fake flowers. The one thing, for this series, they all have in common is that they exhibit variety.

They remind us that although we are all different, we all bring something beautiful to the table. We need each other, and together we make up a delightful arrangement of passions, skills, opinions ( ;)), and voice. They remind us to be ourselves.

Improvisation and Intuition:

Over the years, I am learning this plays a great role in my practice. Too much planning and too many rules make me feel constricted. When I paint my best, I am free and loose in front of the easel. I love to embrace the humanity of my own hands, letting gesture and spontaneous markmaking show through.

Color Palette:

Vermillion, Brown Pink, Quinacridone Magenta, Cadmium Yellow Light, Indian Yellow, Cadmium Chartreuse, Pthalo Turquioise, Pthalo Green, Viridian, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Ivory Black, Radiant White