Somehow simple and elaborate at the same time, the Columbine is a cheerful greeting in my spring garden. It is the state flower of Colorado, my home. A climber discovered it on Pike's Peak, and meaning has been attributed to the colors: blue represents the sky, white represents snow, and yellow symbolizes Colorado's gold mining history. I guess you could say the Columbine is a little treasure itself!

Most of my artwork is based on the flowers I grow in my yard, and I am proud to grow many things that are native to Colorado. I grow these flowers in my garden, photograph them (or sometimes hire a friend to help with photos!) and use them as inspiration for my artwork. This piece, “Columbine #2" was created in my signature style of collage-painting.

I work on wood panels. First, I poured fluid acrylic paints in a variety of earthy colors, creating an abstract but organic background that really looks and feels like a forest or garden setting. I cut the petals out of various art papers and rendered minute details in acrylic paint. I made the stamen of the flower by tying string, dipping it in paint and gluing it to the surface.

This Columbine looks perfect alone or as part of a set. Look for Columbine #1-5 and choose the combination that you love most. The original is 10 x 10 x 1.5” and comes wired and ready to hang. These pictures take are very labor intensive, but it is a labor of love. I hope you enjoy the flowers as much as I do!