Notes From The Studio

My new ‘Magnolia’ Series will be releasing this Thursday at 10 AM EST. This collection was born from a simple desire to paint, to follow color, movement, and instinct. It has quickly become one of my favorite series, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it all with you.

The series began with a magnolia tree on a bright summer afternoon. The light was so intense that I had to squint to see it. Instead of soft greens and gentle shadows, I noticed the harsh yellows, electric purples, and high-contrast shapes created by the sun. The colors felt exaggerated, almost unreal, yet completely true to the experience of the day.

As I painted, I realized I wasn’t interested in describing the magnolia itself. I was interested in capturing the sensation of seeing it. The flower became a graphic mark, often defined by the negative space of the paper or raw canvas left exposed. Rather than painting every petal, I wanted the bloom to emerge through absence. A memory, a flash of light, a shape glimpsed through squinted eyes.

The palette came from an unexpected pairing: my children’s brightly colored swimsuits against the creamy blossoms of a magnolia tree. It was a collision of childhood and nature, of synthetic color and timeless beauty. Those vivid colors found their way into the work, not as a literal representation of the scene, but as an emotional record of summer.

At its heart, this series is about the brightness of life with young children. Summer feels heightened during these years. The days are longer, the colors seem louder, and ordinary moments take on an almost overwhelming intensity. The paintings hold that feeling: the glare of the sun, the blur of movement, the beauty that is impossible to fully look at head-on.

The exposed paper and raw canvas become just as important as the painted marks. They act as light itself—spaces to rest the eye, breathe, and complete the image. Together, the paintings explore what happens when memory, observation, and emotion overlap, leaving behind not a portrait of a magnolia tree, but the feeling of standing beneath it on a bright summer day.

I have been so encouraged by the warm response this series has received. I am so grateful for each of you and can't wait to finally share it with you. If there's a piece you've had your eye on, be sure to set your alarm and sign up for early access to the collection here.