Bridges in gardens add so much interest to the ambiance of the setting. In my home garden, I designed the dry streambed after seeing the arroyos out west. I added a bridge, painting it a teal blue as a nod to Monet’s bridge, which he had built over his famous water lily pond at his home in Giverny, France. His bridge, in turn, was a nod to the Japanese garden bridges over koi and water lily ponds. No artist lives in such complete isolation that they are not inspired or influenced by what they see around them as they pursue their art. Artists are always gathering inspiration while living their lives, by going to museums and exhibitions to see the work of other artists. Gardens, mine and others, are one of the things that inspire me the most and drive me time and again to paint my flowers.

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