Megan Seiter, Grace, colored pencil, pastel and watercolor, 18 x 13"

While flowers may not be able to speak or make gestures, no one can doubt their sheer individuality. Each unique petal on each specific flower culminates in a series of intricacies that create its unique bloom pattern. There are more than 400,000 different types of flowering plant species across the world, and just like humans, no single flower is entirely the same. 

Grace DeVito, Speak Low, oil on linen, 16 x 20"

“[It’s] a wonderful challenge to try to capture the unique qualities of every individual flower I draw,” says artist Megan Seiter. Working in colored pencil, pastel and watercolor, Seiter’s floral still lifes are crisp and vibrant, with clean, minimal backgrounds. “The first time I walked into the San Francisco Flower Mart I was blown away by the impact of thousands of flowers on display.

Deborah Bigeleisen, Snow Princess, oil on canvas, 51½ x 46”; Alex Kelly, December Roses, oil on panel, 12 x 8”  

The massive market is an indulgence of colors, textures and shapes, unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” she says. “Flowers are malleable, which makes them easy to manipulate within a still life setting. They pass through numerous stages of life within just a few days, giving me the opportunity to capture their beauty in one of many states. But most importantly, the more I interact with flowers the more I’m able to observe their character. Tulips express themselves in a playful dance with the sunlight. Alstroemeria stand tall and proud for weeks on end. Peonies gently open, petals drop, and as they die their color fades into a light hue only barely reminiscent of what it used to be.”

Alex Kelly, Hostilities Aren’t Stilled Through Hostility, oil on canvas, 12 x 10”

Oil painter Alex Kelly creates expressive, painterly florals and botanicals. He asks us to consider experiencing a rose for the first time, devoid of any cultural preconceptions—and the rose has many. “One might observe a captivating exhibition of color, ranging from intense to subtly breathtaking variation. The petals, a source of fascination, capture light in delicate folds, their translucency transforming the play of light,” says Kelly. “Delve into the forms, revealing mathematical symmetry coexisting with an endless array of organic diversity.” 

Top: Grace DeVito, Cat Tails, oil on linen, 12 x 12”; Deborah Bigeleisen, RHYTHM 8, oil on canvas, 50 x 50”. Bottom: Britten, Selene, mixed media, 60 x 60”; Nancy Balmert, Olympiad Rose, oil on canvas, 16 x 12”

Working from direct observation with subjects from life is integral to Kelly’s process. “One might conceive man-made forms with similar variances in form, translucency and color, but the absence of life in such constructs diminishes the transient and poignant nature inherent in floral subjects. It is this brevity and inconstancy that render them both challenging and emotionally resonant. Consequently, these qualities prompt my recurrent return to them as a subject of artistic exploration,” he says.

Megan Seiter, Dolores, colored pencil and watercolor, 20 x 26”

For Seiter, lighting is everything. “Some flowers come alive in the moments when the morning sun has drifted behind a cloud, casting soft diffused light on the tips of their petals. Others look their best when the vibrant afternoon sun is casting bold shadows, adding drama and intrigue to their shapes and curves,” she says. “Every flower I draw presents a new challenge, and I’m [compelled] to figure out how to describe its specific beauty.” 

Barbara Cricchio-Efchak, As Time Goes By, oil on linen, 24 x 18”

Throughout the pages of this special section, enjoy exploring even more depictions of the stunning forms of florals and botanicals.

Top: American Impressionist Society, Embracing the Rhythm, oil on paper, 8½ x 8½”, by Janine Dunn Wade; Britten, Gardening, mixed media, 50 x 40”. Bottom: American Impressionist Society, Bruised, oil, 12 x 12”, by Doreen St. John; American Impressionist Society, Still Life with Teapot, oil on board, 24 x 28”, by Eric Jacobsen.

Deborah Bigeleisen’s larger-than-life paintings of a single image of a flower endlessly engage and captivate collectors. Flowers have been the cornerstone of her creative inspiration since childhood. Echoing the personal philosophy of Rembrandt who “loved what he painted and only painted what he loved,” she immerses herself totally into every painting. With a vision rooted in the principles of fractals, she takes the viewer on an almost voyeuristic journey into depths beyond what the naked eye can see to capture its complexity, energy, mystery and beauty. 

Nancy Balmert, White Rhododendron, oil on canvas, 12 x 16” 

A passionate gardener, it’s only natural that Barbara Cricchio-Efchakwould gravitate toward painting the florals she cultivates. She says that painting flowers from life presents intrinsic challenges. “They are constantly moving and changing, but their transparent petals and the bounce of light create beautiful effects.” Cricchio-Efchak paints with a singular focus and a quiet, concentrated mind—an attitude that translates to her calming paintings. “Collectors should purchase paintings that speak to their soul,” she says. “We all have our own sensibilities, so follow your instincts and know that having original artwork will enhance your home and life.”

Grace DeVito, Cat Tails 2, oil on linen, 12 x 12”; Nancy Balmert, Celestial White Lilies, oil on canvas, 11 x 14”  

“Often there is a resonance with a particular subject, such as a flower, yet I do not intend for the painting to be anything specific,” says artist Britten. “A feeling emerges from an internal perspective of meditative contemplation. Internally ignited, shapes and forms have dynamic presence and colors reflect a hypersensitive spectrum. Incandescence, luminosity and radiance inspire me. I paint what emerges naturally by shifting my perspective from what is known to what I will probably never understand. The mystery becomes beautiful and alive with potential. Constantly evolving and growing, I am fascinated by what each painting becomes.”

Brenda Pinnick, Nature’s Gifts, oil on linen, 20 x 16”; Britten, Eudaimonia, mixed media, 30 x 30”  

Traveling both nationally and internationally with her husband, Nancy Balmert’s quest is to discover the floral kingdom in both obvious venues as well as obscure and unusual environments. “Flowers are my passion, as flowers are everywhere and inspire my love of painting,” says the artist, who uses the “Old Master method” of softly blended edges. “Flowers are timeless [and] eternal, and so are floral paintings. Generations from now, someone will gaze at one of my flower paintings in exactly the same fashion as I am now…Time has stopped and beauty lives on in the floral kingdom.”

Carrie Goller, Spike, oil, 10 x 10”

The American Impressionist Society encourages collectors to purchase paintings that both draw them in and perhaps push them out of their comfort zone. AIS artists Eric Jacobsen, Doreen St. John and Janine Dunn Wade are each known for their expressive floral images. “Considering the breakneck pace of society, it’s important to slow down and sense all the beauty surrounding us,” says Wade. “I am painting to capture those fleeting moments of quiet joy amid life’s chaos.”

Top: Brenda Pinnick, Simple Pleasures, oil on linen, 20 x 16”; Terry Romero Paul, Blooms In Abstraction, oil on canvas, 14 x 11”. Bottom: Terry Romero Paul, Ranunculus Reverie, oil on canvas, 14 x 11” ; Tara Funk Grim, Emerging from the Mist, mixed media, 30 x 30” ; Terry Romero Paul, Sitting Pretty, oil on canvas, 14 x 11”

Seattle-area artist Carrie Goller draws endless inspiration from her coastal surroundings, observing birds and animals from her seaside studio garden. The intricate dynamics of hummingbirds fighting for dominance near her favorite coffee spot help fuel her creativity. Goller’s recent series, Floriferous (which means to produce many flowers), showcases charming creatures wearing floral crowns. She paints with a variety of mediums, including oil and encaustic, a medium she’s used for more than 20 years and that provides beautiful depth and luminosity. 

CODA Gallery, Kauai, oil on canvas, 50 x 45”, by Michael Kuseske; Tara Funk Grim, A Moment of Magic, mixed media, 30 x 30”

Artist Tara Funk Grim strives to capture the complexity and mystery of human experience through abstract shapes, colors and textures, which often take on floral forms. “This evolution reflects my transition from portraying observed nature to conveying a more personal inner vision,” she says. Grim invites viewers “to share in the meditative process of painting, allowing them to experience the evolution of my creations.”

Carrie Goller, Fiona, oil, 8 x 8”; CODA Gallery, Persuasion, oil on canvas, 50 x 50”, by Michael Kuseske

Painter Brenda Pinnick enjoys capturing a variety of subject matter, from florals to landscapes to intimate garden scenes. “I search for ways to combine a creative viewpoint with a sensitive approach to beautiful color, pleasing shapes and intuitive yet lively brushwork,” says Pinnick. She paints in plein air as often as possible, as direct observation allows her to focus on the color viewable only by being present in the moment. “My goal,” she adds, “is to always provide a welcoming space for the viewer to enter and enjoy the painting in their own way.”  —