My neighborhood walks often inspire my work, and this series of Japanese magnolias is a prime example. I captured a bunch of photos of flowers in bloom in the spring, at different stages of development. I raised my camera overhead into the foliage to catch this perspective, focusing this time on a small cluster of flowers that were just opening.

This series follows a similar take on an idea that started with the Audubon Live Oaks and Philodendrons In Terra Cotta pieces, which I completed in pairs. This approach has lead me to think of some of my works as “companion pieces,” incorporating a larger piece — which I love doing — with smaller works that might allow me to experiment and create additional paintings at more accessible sizes.

This piece is the third in a group of three, with a much smaller size and color palette than either of the other pieces. It was an opportunity to return to a more minimal approach, similar to earlier works like this portrait in five colors that has always been a favorite.

See Japanese Magnolias #1

See Japanese Magnolias #2