The Portrait Series.
Every flower has its own story to tell, its own beauty to explore. I try to imagine the personalities behind the botanicals, and attempt to capture their unique points of beauty.
Daughter’s Intuition
My daughter chose this image to paint. I was less inclined because of the orange. She gently pointed out that what I have been claiming to be “golden yellow” for years as one of my favourite colours, as testified to by my multiple sweaters, my favourite chair, my backpack and purse (let’s not go on) is actually, indeed, orange. True, not the bright orange I think of when picturing the colour but, alas, still orange.
Which is actually great because that’s my husbands favourite colour, and now we are even more simpatico!
The daffodils do seem to jump out of the canvas in this work - I should listen to my daughter more often I suppose.
oil on canvas, 24×30, 2025, $1115
Party Girls
These tulips are on the dance floor, arms in the air, laughing into each other’s eyes. Their favourite song is playing, they’re wearing comfortable shoes, and they could party all night (or at least until 1).
oil on canvas, 14×28, 2025, $705
Lupine Diptych: “Anne with an E” and “Katherine with a K”
Did you ever watch Anne of Avonlea? It’s the sequel to Anne of Green Gables, and in it Anne, precocious red-haired imaginative marvel that she is, meets Katherine, a spinsterly depressed school marm. Needless to say, Anne’s kindness and ingenuity save the day.
The straight precise rows of the lupine flower reminded me of an orderly classroom. And who would be presiding over that ram-rod straight space? Katherine of course. And who would be all curves of grace and waiting discovery? Our dear Anne.
These two ladies are meant to hang together.
oil on canvas, 12x24 (times two!), $1100
Golden Years
I picture this rose as a beautiful women, entering retirement age, filled with wisdom and laughter, ready for the next chapter of her life. She’s surrounded by friends who cheer her on, and join her on adventures. She’s dedicated to bringing beauty into the world, with her hands and her personality.
The woman I want to be.
And, a woman like Rebecca Arthur, who took the source photo, and generously allowed me to use it for this painting.
oil on cradled wooden panel, 24×36, 2025, $1340
Flamenco
The colour and ruffled edges, and exotic feel of these rhododendrons in my backyard make me think of flamenco dancers. Powerful and beautiful and ready for centre stage. Can’t you hear the guitar? The stomping feet? The palmas clapping?
oil on canvas, 18×18, 2025, $585
The Three Graces: Faith, Hope, Love
There’s something about the smell of a rose, the sweet softness of its petals, and in this case, the surprising gift of its colour. What can any beautiful thing in this world be but an act of grace?
When I first saw the reference photo for this painting, taken by Rebecca Arthur, the desire to paint this trio felt like a light being turned on in the dark. Clarity of purpose - grace again. Then Rebecca allowing me to paint it - yet another grace!
oil on canvas, 18x24, SOLD
Jolene.
She’s just so beautiful, and she knows it.
Lyrics from Dolly Parton’s famous song rang through my head as I painted “and I cannot compete with you Jolene….”
Jolene, oil on canvas, 36x36, 2024, $1880
Growing Sideways
A sweet parrot tulip from my garden. Sometimes growth in our lives looks different than expected. We have a particular attribute or skill we hope to master, but feel stunted. Meanwhile, we’re learning patience, humility, maybe even some wisdom. Still growing, just not in the direction we hoped - but perhaps in the direction we actually need.
oil on canvas, 12×12, 2025, $350
I picture these young girls, excited and nervous, holding their little bouquets, ready to precede their aunt/cousin/mom’s friend down the isle. They’re wearing the prettiest light pink dresses, and feel for the first time in their young lives that they’re part of something extraordinary
oil on canvas, 12×12, 2025 $350
Junior Bridesmaids
Lady with a Beauty Mark
I loved the stripy nature and hints of green in this tulip, but what really caught my attention was the little dot, right where Marilyn Monroe’s beauty mark would be. She’s a show off, but who can blame her?
Lady with a Beauty Mark, oil on canvas, 18x18, 2024, $585
My Beautiful Big Sister
I kept imagining the relationship between these two tulips, one unfurling and confident, the other more shy and content in the background. I pictured two sisters, one a few years older and adored by the younger.
Meet my Beautiful Big Sister, oil on canvas, 20x30, 2024, $930
Growing up in Canada, Anne of Green Gables was one of my first heroes (actually, Matthew was, but I digress). Her flaming red hair, her beautiful freckles, and her journey to learn to love it all. This tree peony literally stopped me in my tracks when visiting the home of a friend. Dear Gilbert would have fallen head over heals again :).
Freckles, oil on canvas, 18x18, 2024, $585