The Enduring Nature of Magnolias

What comes to mind as you gaze up at a magnolia tree?

Their grace prompts delicious contemplation. As I watch spring emerge, I see a constellation of petals painting arabesques in the sky. It’s a visual score of natural forces.

I experience the silent sounds of musicality and beauty. Strong and elegant, the trees possess an inner nobility.

Nestled

Markers of Time

Magnolias are one of the oldest flowering plants in the world. Fossils of the flowers show its existence 140 million years ago. Beetles still pollinate many of the ancient plants since the tree grew long before the first bees and butterflies existed.

The species is unique because it has adapted to a variety of temperate environments around the globe while maintaining its original genetic blueprint.

Magnolia Paintings

I create varied magnolia paintings that express my fascination with the underlying rhythmic sensuality of the tree.

In developing the work, I reimagine colors, textures and space. Light and mass counterbalance organic and abstract shapes.

The image gets reinvented as I accumulate different views of the plant. With marks and brushstrokes, I attempt to make the familiar feel new again.

Slivers of Sun

Something Greater Than Ourselves

Earth’s beauty is a primary motivation in my practice as a painter. During these uncertain times, the magnolia’s ecological resiliency and geographical adaptability make the tree a perfect metaphor of hope.

Similar to a tree, hope is a renewable resource. Re-establishing a harmonious relationship with nature will help us create balance and regeneration for all living beings.

Elaborating