The reason that the idea of this image had been gestating in my mind for many years has become clear. I finally felt like there was time and space to do this idea some kind of justice. With the self isolation orders in place, there is much less running around to do and more time to paint. I found a great deal of joy and peace in creating this painting while the world outside the studio is in chaos.

Both of my grandmothers loved to grow flowers and nurtured the plants that were passed to them from friends and family. The peonies in the reference photos were grown from roots that my grandmother gave me over 30 years ago and their flowers always remind me of her. Painting these and other plants shared is one way to keep the memories of both my grandmothers alive.