Painterly Peonies
Impressions of an exotic bouquet….
Summer Vegetable Garden
This summer we have been focused on growing fruit, vegetables and herbs in the garden instead of flowers.
Valley Snow
I hope you are all well and staying healthy at home during this challenging time. These photos are a bit overdue, but I'd still like to share them with you as I know many are struggling to find peace in these troubled times while adapting to a new lifestyle of being indoors.
Fresh Flowers Styled in a Long Wooden Bowl
Today is a beautiful winter day here in California with the sun shining through the icy cold air. I'm finally getting time to share some floral fun after a very busy last few months.
Summer Flower Paintings
The studio has been a busy place this summer as I have been working on a new collection of paintings along with commissioned works.
Spring Garden Floral
The early spring garden is now dressed in shades of pink and white as our cymbidium orchids, anemones and camellias take the stage. They are lovely in the landscape but also make beautiful cut flowers for arranging!
Styling an Easter Table
Its almost time for Easter! The garden is filled with fresh flowers and the days are warm and beautiful. I'm now styling an Easter table and have used a palette of soft greens and shades of white to complement the floral centerpiece made from garden blooms.
Flower Spotlight: Ranunculus
Ranunculus flowers, also called Persian Buttercups, provide stunning blooms in early spring when the weather is still chilly and moist. Boasting a mass of chiffon-like petals, the multicolored flowers are always a favorite for spring weddings and floral arrangements.
Winter Decorating with Dried Hydrangeas
The winter months are quiet as I prepare the garden for spring and await the first blooms of the season. It is always a challenge to keep the vases filled until the garden starts to produce flowers for cutting, so I often use dried or artificial flowers this time of year.
Season's Greetings
Wishing you all a happy holiday season filled with peace and joy...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Fall Gardens at Filoli
Fall is a beautiful time of year to tour Filoli in Woodside, CA as the gardens are still in bloom and the trees are beginning to change color. We visited there recently since two of my paintings are featured in the current art show, "Fall Landscapes of the Golden State". We were dazzled by the beauty of the estate and still spectacular gardens in October.
Creating a Fall Garden Floral
Our fall garden is beginning to bloom at last as we welcome October with cool weather and raindrops. It is a beautiful time of year to design arrangements from the garden, and creating a fall floral using homegrown flowers mixed with a market bouquet is an easy way to enjoy the garden indoors.
Hot Summer Flowers...
The summer high temperatures are often a challenge for gardeners but with a little bit of planning and the right choice of plants, a summer garden can be filled with flowery fun.
Peony Season...
Peony season is here and I'm enchanted with all the beautiful blooms! These lovely pink stems were brought to me by a friend who has grown them for years.
Styling Cymbidium Orchids
Cymbidiums have always been my favorite variety of orchids. I've been collecting them since I was in college and fell in love with a neighbor's wine barrel full of amazing blooming orchid stalks.
Spring in the Garden...
Today is officially the first day of Spring and the garden is clearly celebrating with beautiful blooms and blossoms. Our magnolia tree is covered in pink and white velvety flowers which glisten on these rainy days.
Black and White Anemone Arrangement
The garden is finally blooming again after the dormant days of winter and some of the first flowers to emerge this season were these black and white anemones.
A Garden Christmas Beverage Bar
Fall has just flown by, it seems, and now it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our house. During the holidays, I often like to serve hot tea, coffee, and chocolate in the garden as this year we have beautiful sunshine and crisp cool afternoon air to enjoy.
Garden Flowers for Fall
As you can see, our first harvest of pomegranates is off of the tree- a sure sign that fall is here to stay! Here in California, we have a late autumn so our trees are just beginning to change color from the cooler nights and beautiful temperate days.
Maple Sugar Misto
One of the true pleasures of autumn is waking up to cool crisp morning air and spending time in the garden. For me, morning starts with coffee, and lately I've been enjoying this simple recipe filled with robust fall flavors while planning the flower gardens.
Savoring September....
This month was filled with so many beautiful moments. As summer came to a close we escaped to the coast for a relaxing break and I brought my camera to capture the magic.
The Joy of Painting Botanicals…
Learn about my creative process…