The “Amaryllis Series” was inspired, in part, by my grandfather, my mother’s
father, who built a greenhouse to grow many different things at different times:
citrus trees, cacti, and amaryllis bulbs. I started painting this series in NYC in
1989, where I went to art school and lived for 9 years before moving back to
New Orleans, my birthplace. In New York, I would also grow amaryllis bulbs in
my apartment. Their flowers brought moments of joy, warmth and bright color to
punctuate the long, dark, cold winter months.
Soon after I returned to New Orleans in 1989 to live, my grandfather passed
away, and I came into possession of a photograph of his. I remember seeing it
as a child, brightening his desk. One of his amaryllis blooms. It has since faded,
but had always impressed me, given its near abstraction and beautiful boldness.
Almost 35 years later, I am still painting flowers. As an art teacher to elementary
school students in the Los Angeles area, I teach my students to create art
inspired by nature, and to sketch in the garden. Becoming aware of something
called “nature deficit” for people in urban settings, and knowing that being in
and even just looking at pictures of nature can help us feel good, it only makes
sense that drawing from nature can be beneficial.
With the floral paintings of Morris Graves in mind, these recent watercolor
paintings of flowers are my way of practicing what I teach. Having come through
the Covid years, one thing that I have learned is to try and be ever mindful of
appreciating little moments of meditative beauty and joy. These floral
watercolors are a way to create that for myself, and hopefully for others.
father, who built a greenhouse to grow many different things at different times:
citrus trees, cacti, and amaryllis bulbs. I started painting this series in NYC in
1989, where I went to art school and lived for 9 years before moving back to
New Orleans, my birthplace. In New York, I would also grow amaryllis bulbs in
my apartment. Their flowers brought moments of joy, warmth and bright color to
punctuate the long, dark, cold winter months.
Soon after I returned to New Orleans in 1989 to live, my grandfather passed
away, and I came into possession of a photograph of his. I remember seeing it
as a child, brightening his desk. One of his amaryllis blooms. It has since faded,
but had always impressed me, given its near abstraction and beautiful boldness.
Almost 35 years later, I am still painting flowers. As an art teacher to elementary
school students in the Los Angeles area, I teach my students to create art
inspired by nature, and to sketch in the garden. Becoming aware of something
called “nature deficit” for people in urban settings, and knowing that being in
and even just looking at pictures of nature can help us feel good, it only makes
sense that drawing from nature can be beneficial.
With the floral paintings of Morris Graves in mind, these recent watercolor
paintings of flowers are my way of practicing what I teach. Having come through
the Covid years, one thing that I have learned is to try and be ever mindful of
appreciating little moments of meditative beauty and joy. These floral
watercolors are a way to create that for myself, and hopefully for others.