Sometimes when I work, I have an idea of how I might like a painting to develop.  Those rarely turn out to be my best pieces.  In the case of Flowers, I sat down with no clue and let my hands do their things.  I had no idea what would develop.  And I think this is my favorite piece in the "window" series so far.  This painting continues my interest in the subtle inclusion of language in art with a single phrase painted in small letters in the lower left corner.  The words read, "Flowers can be enough."

This delightful, unusual image of hope and balance is sure to bring a calming perspective to any room.

First, I primed the canvas with black acrylic gesso.  Then I painted a wild, vibrant expressionist painting filled with bright colors.  While the paint was still wet, I used a dental tool to engrave the lines that divide the picture plain and to define the "window", which I used a paint scraper to clear of all colors and textures.  When this underpainting had dried, I painted a flat gray over the entire piece and then used a wet cloth to rub the gray thin in specific areas.  Then I used the same cloth to rub on a bit of white and light beige paint in certain spots.  When that layer had dried, I used my paint scraper to abrade the grays and whites.  Finally, I used very small detail brushes to paint the flower scene and to add the words.

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