Purple Flax, painted from reference photos taken near Snowmass, Colorado. A 6x6 piece painted texturally on panel and framed in white. I first noticed this plant along a hilly trail and was drawn to its color—it looked purple to me, though it’s actually called Blue Flax. This hardy wildflower loves rocky soil and is both drought- and fire-resistant. Its seeds are edible and used in baking and oils, and its stems can even be made into linen, making it an incredibly useful plant. My trip to Colorado sparked an interest in native Alabama plants, which continues to influence my current body of work. Painted with professional artist-quality acrylics, the piece is varnished for protection and ready to hang.