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Floral Portraits

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Vessels

The vase in this painting was a gift from my Japanese grandmother. She really appreciated that I was studying ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Suko Kuboyashi was my sensei, a teacher who was extremely gifted and who had spent his entire life perfecting this art form. I wanted to commemorate this gift from her with this painting. The scene was not contrived. This was the still-life as it looked from day-to-day in my home. I loved the way that the lantern lit the other objects near it, and complemented the traditional vase. The carved coral Buddha was also a gift from a friend, and his presence in the foreground created a harmonious feeling to the collection of objects. I named the painting “Vessels” as it struck me that the painting was about three vessels. The lantern was a vessel for light, the vase was a vessel filled with water that fed the flowers, and the Buddha was a vessel of Divine presence.
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Vessels
Fine Art Giclée Print
$92
Vessels
Watercolor on Silk     19.5" x 14.5"
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Ikebana I

A painting of an ikebana arrangement that I did. My teacher was Sensei Shuko Kobayashi, a master of the Sogetsu school. He was a very inspiring teacher with great skills and a honed sense of aesthetics; a sculptor working in living materials.
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Ikebana I
Framed Original Watercolor
$5,000
Framing

Ikebana 1 is painted on sheer silk and floated off the back of the frame. The frame is constructed of figured bubinga with sterling silver hardware. Decorative paper backs the painting.

Check out my Framing Methods and Materials page to get a sense of my approach. Please contact me if you have further questions.

Fine Art Giclée Print
$140
Ikebana I
Watercolor on Silk     16.5" x 26"
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Ikebana 2

A spare arrangement of the Sogetsu style, this is another arrangement that I painted after composing it. I love the use of leaves, especially large leaves, in ikebana. The sculptural play that is possible is limitless.
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Ikebana 2
Framed Original Watercolor
$5,000
Framing

Ikebana 2 is painted on sheer silk and floated off the back of the frame. The frame is constructed of quilted maple and bocote with sterling silver hardware. Decorative paper backs the painting.

Check out my Framing Methods and Materials page to get a sense of my approach. Please contact me if you have further questions.

Fine Art Giclée Print
$128
Ikebana 2
Watercolor on Silk     26" x 15"
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Last Year's Bark

A spring ikebana arrangement using wild irises and madrone bark peeled from a tree next to our cabin in the woods.
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Last Year's Bark
Fine Art Giclée Print
$60
Last Year's Bark
Watercolor on Silk     12" x 15"
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Beneath the Plum Blossoms

Beneath the plum blossoms...is there a more wonderful place to spend time in spring?
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Beneath the Plum Blossoms
Framed Original Watercolor
$2,600
Framing

Beneath the Plum Blossoms is painted on sheer silk and floated off the back of the frame. The frame is constructed of narra and lacewood with sterling silver hardware. Decorative paper backs the painting.

Check out my Framing Methods and Materials page to get a sense of my approach. Please contact me if you have further questions.

Fine Art Giclée Print
$65
Beneath the Plum Blossoms
Watercolor on Silk     16.5" x 12"
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Papuan Black Orchid

Watercolor painting of Papuan Black Orchid surrounded in 24kt gold leaf.
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Papuan Black Orchid
Watercolor on Paper, Framed
$750
Fine Art Giclée Print
$45

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Papuan Black Orchid
Watercolor on Paper/24kt Gold Leaf    18" x 6"
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California Poppies

Watercolor painting of California poppies blooming on a hillside overlooking the Pacific.
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California Poppies
Watercolor on Paper, Framed
$750
Fine Art Giclée Print
$45

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Metal Prints
California Poppies is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
California Poppies
Watercolor on Paper    18" x 6"
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Christmas Camellia

Watercolor painting of a Christmas Camellia branch with snow-laden blossoms in a wintery landscape.
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Christmas Camellia
Watercolor on Paper, Framed
$750
Fine Art Giclée Print
$45

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Christmas Camellia
Watercolor on Paper    18" x 6"
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Peace Rose

In the spirit of the season I painted this peace rose surrounded by sunlight reflected on water. May the end of this year be peaceful and light-filled for all of you my friends.
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Peace Rose
Watercolor/24k Gold Leaf on Paper
$750
Fine Art Giclée Print
Not Available
Metal Prints
Peace Rose is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Peace Rose
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Dogwood

Dogwood trees have always enchanted me. I appreciate their delicacy, the texture of the flowers, and their ability to grow and bloom in harsh climates. I used to stare out the classroom window at an old and beautiful dogwood tree in bloom. I was hardly able to concentrate on my schoolwork because the tree was so captivating.
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Dogwood
Watercolor/24k Gold Leaf on Paper
$750
Metal Prints
Dogwood is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Dogwood
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Empress of the Night

An Empress of the Night in full bloom is a gorgeous and equally brief presentation of what it is to be open, full, brilliant, and alive. They bloom once a year for a single night. As you can see, they hold nothing back. They make the night and their time count.
Purchase
Empress of the Night
Fine Art Giclée Print
$57

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Metal Prints
Empress of the Night is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Empress of the Night
Watercolor on Paper    18" x 8"
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Carnelian Cascade

Watercolor painting of a cascade of orange begonias over a blue field and surrounded in gold leaf.
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Carnelian Cascade
Fine Art Giclée Print
$45

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Metal Prints
Carnelian Cascade is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Carnelian Cascade
Watercolor on Paper/24kt Gold Leaf    18" x 6"
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Japanese Iris

Japanese iris are a staple of the Northern California late winter flowers. I love it when they begin to bloom.
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Japanese Iris
Fine Art Giclée Print
$45

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Metal Prints
Japanese Iris is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Japanese Iris
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Calla Beauty

Calla Beauty is the sixth portrait I have done of Calla Lilies. I love the structure of the flowers and leaves, both. Calla's are beautiful sculptural forms.
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Calla Beauty
Fine Art Giclée Print
$45

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Metal Prints
Calla Beauty is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Calla Beauty
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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A Perfect Night

A chrysanthemum in its perfection being viewed with the light of the full moon. In Japan there is a tradition of inviting guests to your garden when the chrysanthemum is in perfect bloom, timing the gathering with the full moon. A night of taking in beauty, quiet wonderment with a little green tea.
Purchase
A Perfect Night
Fine Art Giclée Print
$45

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Metal Prints
A Perfect Night is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
A Perfect Night
Watercolor & Silver Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Night of the Heart

Watercolor painting of orange marigold viewed over a full moonlit ocean and adorned with silver leaf.
Purchase
Night of the Heart
Fine Art Giclée Print
$45

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Metal Prints
Night of the Heart is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Night of the Heart
Watercolor & Silver Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Mango Calla

I really like painting calla lilies. The flowers are so strong, and their form is so classic. The leaves, too, are so supple, and are such a pleasing shape. I have painted a number of them, mostly white. So, I thought I would try another color since they appear in such an array of vibrant colors. Voilà, a mango calla.
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Mango Calla
Metal Prints
Mango Calla is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Mango Calla
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Asian Poppy 2

I always have Asian Poppies on hand every spring. The lively but simple structure and the bold colors are a welcome sight at winter's end.
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Asian Poppy 2
Metal Prints
Asian Poppy 2 is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Asian Poppy 2
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Twilight Rose

I have a friend who does organic farming on Taveuni Island in Fiji. She lived near me in West Sonoma County for a few years, and grew magnificent roses; breathtaking actually. She made rose jam from the roses. I never tasted anything like it. Every morning she went into her rose garden and hand-picked the aphids off the petals. She would allow nothing to taint the flavor of that delicious, pink concoction that paired so well with Screaming Mimi’s vanilla ice cream. Here’s to you, Amy! Fiji is lucky to have you.
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Twilight Rose
Metal Prints
Twilight Rose is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Twilight Rose
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Begonia

I fell for begonias the first time that I visited the begonia house at the Mendocino Botanical Gardens. I was surrounded by blooming begonias in every color. I remember turning, bending, and going on tiptoe, to catch the best views of each flower. Ever since then I have been growing begonias, enjoying their beauty at each stage of their life. This is a portrait of one from last year.
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Begonia
Metal Prints
Begonia is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Begonia
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Calla 2

I have always been a great admirer of the calla lily. I love the structural quality of the flower and plant, the simplicity of line. I love it that you can find these flowers growing wild along the California coast.
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Calla 2
Metal Prints
Calla 2 is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Calla 2
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Sunlight on the Water

Looking at the sunlight on the water has been a lifelong enjoyment. There is just nothing quite like it. Peace is what happens to me when I sit and contemplate the brilliant patterns of light dancing on water.
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Sunlight on the Water
Metal Prints
Sunlight on the Water is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Sunlight on the Water
Watercolor/24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Height of Summer

Dahlias are another flower that I grow and admire. I delight in their beauty, structure, and striking colors.This painting is a continuation of my flower series. This time I drew inspiration from Art Nouveau, creating a detailed halo to further celebrate the central dahlia.
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Height of Summer
Metal Prints
Height of Summer is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Height of Summer
Watercolor & 24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Cataleya

I was six years old when I moved to Fiji. My favorite service when I arrived was caring for the orchids in the large orchid house that was already established. The orchid house was a large reed and thatch bure; a Fijian-style structure. The airy building was filled with orchids of many varieties and colors. My favorites were the Catalayas with their large, frilly petals and soft, pastel colors.
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Cataleya
Metal Prints
Cataleya is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Cataleya
Watercolor/24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"
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Lightfall

When I asked a friend what his favorite flower is, he replied "a Japanese maple, even though it is not a flower." I agreed wholeheartedly. Maples have the most amazing delicacy, and their leaves change to flower-like colors each year. Their branches come in all kinds of shapes and textures, and some of them also change color with the seasons.
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Lightfall
Metal Prints
Light Fall is available in high gloss metal print form for interior or exterior use. Have a look....
Lightfall
Watercolor/24k Gold Leaf on Paper    18" x 6"

Composite of Nara painting calla lilies.
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