There is a time in each of my paintings when it asks me to concentrate on details. In this painting, even though we’re not close to the end, I knew I wanted to begin addressing the details in the center of the flower. This is where the action takes place in all flowers and human growth. It’s where the pollen is formed and the pollinators fertilize the flowers which then creates seeds and in turn, is used to create the next generation of flowers. This is the continuation of the species. A very Darwinian moment.

The model I used for this dahlia painting was a photo I took of the dahlia with an unopened center. For each flower, the center changes every single day depending on the stage of fertilization, so there is no right or wrong. Plus, just like humans that all look different, so does each and every flower regardless of what cultivar or scientific name they have been given.

These daily studio notes lead toward my 2026 solo exhibitions in New York City and  Poughkeepsie, NY.