"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul." — Luther Burbank
Lavender has long been a symbol of serenity, grace, and healing. In Breathe, this timeless botanical is arranged in a vintage French enamelware pitcher that once belonged to my grandparents, alongside a delicate white rose—a representation of purity and remembrance. My goal with this painting was to evoke a sense of tranquility and balance, inviting viewers into a quiet moment of peace.
Lavender holds a profound place in my heart. Hidcote Lavender has flourished in my garden for years, but its significance deepened when our daughter Heather, at the age of six, faced the challenges of cancer treatment. A gift from my uncle—a nursery owner—allowed her to plant two flats of lavender despite the hardships of chemotherapy and radiation. Today, those plants thrive, a testament to her resilience. Birds feast on their seeds, and passersby instinctively reach out to touch them, drawn to their soothing fragrance and texture.
I wish for lavender to be present year-round, as it has become an integral part of my life and artistic expression—an enduring reminder of strength, healing, and the simple, restorative beauty found in nature.
Reproduced from the artist’s original artwork of Oil on ACM Panel 12 x 16. Painted 2024.
