The year my mother passed away, on April 13th, 1986, lilacs and black tulips were blooming in our yard in DC the following month, May... that was the impetus for the first painting of this subject matter. It was hope and rebirth, and beauty, but sadness and grief, as well. I've painted it several times over the years, each time differently, coming from a different place inside.
When we moved to VA, several of the flower themes I had in the garden in DC were echoed in the garden of the home we rent... a circle of early spring flowers around a dogwood tree (tiny iris) in April ... black tulips & lilacs in May...comforting continuity.
