The Into Being Collection: Considering the potential within
The Into Being Collection came about as the miracle of spring unfolded. And when I say miracle, I mean the grandness of the blooms and suddenness of change that takes me by surprise every year—seeming miraculous in its long-awaited appearance. Here in Minnesota, the weather turned abruptly from ice-cold to balmy in a matter of days, and the lush greenery emerged from bare, brown branches about as quickly.
Detail of Afterglow
As I primed my canvases in a layer of fluorescent pink mixed with orange, I thought about the seedling that starts each majestic tree, and the trickle of water that starts each mighty river. If you have (or have had) children in your life, you’ve seen glimmers of a baby’s personality that unfold with each year as that baby grows into full-fledged personhood. And celebrating the end of my son’s kindergarten year brought some reflection on the word “kindergarten”, or “children’s garden”—a place where children’s imaginations and excitement for learning bloom as new seeds of understanding are planted. My son has certainly grown a few inches, added to his colorful bouquet of friends, and marveled as his new ability to read improved with practice each day.
Rosy View, 18” x 24”
After priming my canvases in a bright warm color, I begin each piece with layering my darkest shapes first, forming the base of the composition. And as each week progressed, I added more greenery, more grasses, and more sunlight peeking through the landscapes—casting a glow on the surrounding branches and ground below. It was almost as if my painting process mirrored the vegetation outside my window—blooming suddenly to decorate the architecture of trees that was already in place.
Detail of Daylight
As I painted, I marveled at all that comes into being naturally, aided in growth by the right combination of support in its different forms. I thought about the beautiful friendships and strong relationships with family that continue to bloom from seeds of connection that were planted years ago. Gathering with lifelong friends and celebrating milestone birthdays and upcoming weddings have served as great reminders of this in the past several weeks.
Into The Woods, 36” x 24”
We have a lot more in common with the natural world than we sometimes care to admit. In fact, when you really think about it, we are nature. We go through cycles of plentitude and scarcity when it comes to our resources, our time, and our physical and emotional health. But when we have the nourishment, care and space to thrive—when we have what we really need—that’s when we come into being as our full selves, living into our greatest potential. Here’s hoping that you find yourself in a season where you can bloom where you’re planted.
Homecoming, 40” x 30”
Thank you for following along, and stay tuned for my next collection in late summer 2026!