The affinity between the floral world and me began as a child growing my own flowers among the wild daisy and sweet autumn clematis that grew in the Lucerne fields and along the pasture fences that surrounded our farm house in Southern Utah. So it was quite natural that after receiving my M.F.A. in Art I should paint florals.
I am fascinated with the rich colors and the undulating twists and turns of the petals. Each blossom is a composition of perfect shape, size, rhythm, color and movement. Being concerned that the propagation of these beauties of nature continues I try to make the reproductive parts of each flower I paint a center of interest, a focal point from a bee's eye view a landing pad for pollinators.
I want the viewer to experience a close up connection to my florals, to sense the beauty and genius of their intricate constructions, to delight in their in-your-face color and to be involved with their lyrical movement. Trying to capture in oils or watercolor the spirit of these incredible works of the original Creator is a little like 'gilding the lily', an almost impossible task. So the quest goes on. . . .
Colleen Later, Artist
