I’m excited to have two paintings in the upcoming Art Works Gallery February All-Media Show! The juror is Chris Semtner, artist, author, and curator of exhibits for the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe.

My paintings will include one called “Remembering The Dead” and the other, “Lover’s Gaze.” These are examples of a dark theme, combining skulls and plants, which I’ve been exploring in my artwork.—Both are variations on the Memento Mori expression, reminding us that we must die. Meanwhile, life will go on. Flowers will bloom and the cycle of life will continue. To remember our death, we may cherish life even more, for as long as we are able.

I painted “Remembering The Dead” with thoughts of lives lost during the pandemic. Water drips from petals in teardrop formations. A string of pearls breaks, and a moth flys above lilies, common funeral flowers representing return to innocence.

“Lover’s Gaze” is a reminder that the one we love most will die some day. While morbid and sad, it may help us to better appreciate our time together. After all, we’re so much more like plants, such as the Star Gazer Lilies shown here, than we sometimes realize—part of the cycle reacting to seasons of change all throughout life.

To see these paintings and so much more, visit Art Works Gallery, located at 320 Hull Street in Richmond, Virginia. There will be an opening reception on Friday the 23rd, 6–8pm.
In addition to this All Media Show, there will be other solo artists shows, a ceramics show, open artist studios, and live music. This event is free and open to the public!