When I painted When the Iris Blushes, my focus was on bringing out the rich personality of the iris flower through both color and texture. The petals unfold in layers of soft peach, pink, and deep magenta, each ruffle carefully rendered to reveal the natural veining and delicate surface details that make this bloom so captivating. I wanted the flower to feel almost tactile, the kind of detail that invites you to look closer and appreciate the intricate structure that’s easy to miss at a glance.

The deep green leaves behind the iris provide a grounded, contrasting backdrop that allows the flower’s vibrant tones to take center stage without distraction. The overall composition aims to capture the iris at its most expressive moment, full and lush, as if it’s blushing in the warm light of early morning. The process involved layering oil paint on a gallery profile canvas that subtly enhances the depth and presence of the piece, making it not just a picture but an experience of color and form intended to draw you in. This work reflects my ongoing interest in exploring the balance between precise botanical detail and an inviting sense of warmth and life—a quiet celebration of nature’s quiet complexity.