This painting explores the deep kinship shared among humans through the lens of the natural world, focusing on the beauty of plants.

It highlights herbs and flowers native to the Southeastern region of North America, a place I have called home for the past thirty years.

My interest lies in emphasizing what unites us rather than what divides us, seeking familiarity through the universal presence of plants and flowers. For instance, this painting features Verbena, or vervain, a plants native to the Southeast but found across the globe in various forms. Universally, vervain has been used medicinally for fevers, a testament to its shared significance across cultures. For those migrating to new regions, recognizing vervain in an unfamiliar landscape offers a comforting connection to home.

The language of plants and their medicinal properties and cultural symbolism serve as a bridge to understanding one another. They remind us of our shared experiences and create a strong sense of unity across humankind.

Plant List
(medicinal properties), native [unless noted as naturalized]
Southern Magnolia (anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties)
Iris
Poppy (petals mild sedative) [natualized]
Black-eyed Susan (immune system support)
Wild Daisy (common cold, bronchitis) [natualized]
Vervain (fever relief)
Common Sage [natualized]
Fern
Lupine
Wild Geranium (astringent for UTI)
Scarlet Creeper
Spicebush (stimulates digestion)
Primrose (topical bruises and eczema)
Peony [natualized]