The Artist's Blog

3/24/2020 8:08:36 AM

A New Dawn: Peonies and Roses from a Tuscan Garden

"A New Dawn"

A Life Spent Painting Flowers

Georgia O'Keeffe said, "When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment".

I read O'Keeffe's biography during the weeks I created some these paintings and, as her story unfolded, my own relationship in painting flowers blossomed.

"Dawn Tranquility 1" 40" x 20" Oil on Canvas

I began painting flowers at age seven!

My earliest memories are of little me working side by side with my mother in her garden. Mama had such a way with plants, and what began as a barren backyard in suburban Anaheim prospered into a thriving garden in a matter of a few years. My mother would escape to her garden, and there she would find her bliss. As for myself, I could only admire and be in awe.

My first painting in oils at the age of 7 was of Mama’s flowers. A gift to her for Mother’s day.

A Treasure Trove of Artist's Inspiration in the Garden.

But the gardening bug did not catch me until I had a garden of my own. For the last 20 years, John and I have been caring for Molino’s gardens here in Tuscany. With much blood, sweat and some tears, somehow we have managed to make things grow, and more importantly, keep them alive. This season is such a joy for us as gardeners and myself as a painter, as just steps outside of my studio the fruits of our labors reveal new inspirations with each passing day.

Because of this year's generous spring rains, our garden’s flowers have bloomed more beautifully than ever, especially the peonies and roses.

From Tuscany to Santa Fe, Hawaii and beyond, a special connection for a floral still life artist.

When I began to paint for Lahaina Galleries' exhibitions in Santa Fe and Maui, I immediately thought of the flowers. My homage to Georgia O’Keeffe; I thought, this would be perfect. One cannot think of Santa Fe without her paintings coming to mind.

"Tranquility I" 40" x 24" Oil on Canvas

"Tranquility II" 40" x 24" Oil on Canvas

Lahaina Galleries held this special exhibition at the beautiful Santa Fe Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. And as is the tradition at Lahaina Galleries' private events, the exhibition begins with an unveiling...

"Peonies from a Tuscan Garden" 32" x 64" Oil on Canvas

Photo: Centro Botanico Moutan

A Remarkable Italian Garden: Paradise for Botanists, Heaven for Peony Lovers

I was pleased to discover recently that just 2 hours from my own garden in Tuscany is the most spectacular collection of peonies found anywhere on the planet. Centro Botanico Moutan (from the Chinese term "Mu Dan", tree peony), is a single-theme garden which today contains the rarest and largest collection of tree and herbaceous peonies in the world. The collection brings together over 250,000 plants including about 600 different varieties and natural hybrids belonging to known botanical species.

Photo: Centro Botanico Moutan

The pathways are dotted with extremely rare examples of P.Rockii tree peonies as well as numerous splendid varieties of suffruticosa peonies. The combination of all these varieties belonging to so many different species creates a unique and fascinating spectacle every year when in bloom. A paradise for botanists, the Centre is also an enchanting place for non-experts, who can enjoy a relaxing day in the midst of nature.

Back in My Own Little Piece of Heaven

I've become fascinated by water droplets on flower petals. I have been painting water in many forms for years; waves, reflections, seascapes and even semi-abstract paintings, but I can easily get lost in this micro-world of water, reflection and color.

"Rainsong Peonies" 30" x 40" Oil on Canvas

In Rainsong Peonies I have created a close up view of several peony blossoms after a morning rain. These larger floralscapes allow me to immerse myself into deep observations of each flower, studying the structure and detail in the painting of each bloom. Fascinating shapes emerge, created with light and shadow. For me, the “icing on the cake” in completing these floral paintings are the water droplets, shiny jewels of light as they slowly reveal themselves in the composition.