This collection is inspired by the fleeting beauty of the flowers 

I bought myself one fall afternoon.

This collection started with my strong desire to capture my bouquet of peonies I bought myself in photographs before it began to wilt away. 

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I wasn't expecting to paint them, but as soon as I snapped the first few photos, I was utterly captivated by their beauty! I knew I had to enjoy their presence with every brush stroke. 

I wanted to capture the emotions I felt from realizing their fading beauty without putting myself as the main subject. I chose women of varying cultural ethnicities to portray the spirit of endearing love. Women embody a softened heart and peaceful aura. 

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Although the emotion of holding onto something beautiful before it leaves is bittersweet, we are reminded that life is short. It calls us to capture a moment in every detail and be present to the things we cherish while still here. 

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Adding women to this collection adds a new dimension that conveys how I felt when I bought myself flowers. It made me realize that we act, feel, and treat ourselves and others better when we are more present in our lives. 

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We are more: 

generous

compassionate

patient

empathic

kind

grateful

abundant

creative

and many other traits that seem to flow with ease. 

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"You're only here for a short visit.
Don't hurry.
Don't worry.
And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."
-Walter Hagen 

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I hope you surround yourself with beautiful things that quietly remind you to

stop and smell the flowers. 

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Love,

Clarissa

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