“LOVE”
A Christmas Rose Rooted in John 3:16
There’s something profoundly moving about how God weaves themes through our lives long before we notice the thread. My newest piece, an oil-on-canvas rose titled “Love,” is one of those reminders. What began as a simple flower, gifted from Steve, became the inspiration for a work that speaks to family, faith, and the true heart of Christmas.
This rose carries a message straight from John 3:16, a verse that encapsulates everything Christmas is meant to express: "For God so loved the world…" The season is filled with lights, music, and celebration, but at its heart is a love so vast that it has transformed history. Capturing that message in the delicate yet bold bloom of a rose brings the verse to life in a new and intimate way.
Staying on the rich, striking red theme God keeps placing before us, through our church series and everywhere we turn, this piece feels like a divine echo. Red symbolizes sacrifice, passion, covering, and, of course, love. To see it reflected again in this painting feels less like a coincidence and more like a gentle reminder that God is aligning our hearts with His message.
The original oil painting and prints of “Love” will be available for purchase, inviting those who connect with its story to bring a piece of that meaning into their own homes. Whether displayed during Christmas or cherished year-round, this rose stands as a visual reminder of the love that binds families together…and the Love that came down for us all.
May this season draw us closer to each other, and even more so, to the One who authored love itself.
INTRODUCING
“Trio”
Oil on canvas | 36” x 36”
The inspiration for “Trio” came during one of my quiet walks through the neighborhood. I paused to admire a cluster of wild dogwoods—simple, graceful, and full of life. There’s something timeless about their beauty, and I knew in that moment they would one day become a painting.
I was drawn to the idea of three blossoms working together in harmony. The number three has always spoken to me—it represents unity, balance, and the power of connection. As I painted, I wanted each petal and leaf to capture that feeling of calm and completeness, using layers of texture and subtle shading to bring them to life.
The dogwood itself holds deep meaning. Known for its strength and delicate elegance, it also carries a spiritual connection. Legend tells that the wood of the dogwood was used for the cross of Christ, and its four-petaled blooms resemble a cross crowned at the center. That story, paired with the natural beauty of the flower, made the painting feel sacred in its own quiet way.
“Trio” is a 36” x 36” oil on canvas, and both the original and prints are available in the shop.
“Red Zinnia”
Oil on canvas | 20” x 24”
The Red Zinnia came to life from a flower my husband, Steve, grew in our garden. He’s the one with the green thumb—I tend to keep flowers alive a little differently, by painting them. During the summer, I took photos of his zinnias when they were in full bloom, capturing their bold color and texture.
One evening, as I was deciding what to paint next, I couldn’t make up my mind. I handed my phone to Steve and asked him to choose from my photos. He picked this one. It felt right, and as it turned out, it became one of his favorite paintings I’ve ever done.
The red zinnia carries a meaning I love - a strong family bond. It’s fitting, since this piece came to be through trust, connection, and the simple act of letting someone I love help guide my work. When I look at the finished painting, I see a crown at its center, a reminder of Isaiah 62:3:
“You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”
The original 20” x 24” oil painting, along with prints, is available in the shop.
Commissioned Piece
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Commissioned Piece 〰️
Quail Hunting
A photograph captures a moment in time, but a painting brings that moment to life.
This 24 x 36 oil-on-canvas painting is a commissioned piece based on a photograph taken by my client’s wife during one of his quail hunting trips. The quail and the dog in the foreground were added at my client’s request, as he emphasized that the dogs are just as important to the experience as the quail themselves.
Quail are edge-oriented birds — they thrive where two worlds meet, such as the boundary between a field and a forest. These edges are places of transition, where life overlaps and diversity flourishes. Hunters know that the most fruitful places are not deep in the forest or far out in the field, but right where one gives way to the other.Such a fitting reflection of how God works in creation. Each boundary becomes a place where new life could emerge. The edges are not empty…but full of potential. And it is those in-between places that comfort gives way to challenge, or faith and doubt intersect.
This piece is not available in the shop, but I am available to commission your special moments and bring them to life on your wall.
Introducing “Royal Velvet”
Royal Velvet is one of my largest works to date, an oil on canvas measuring 30" x 40". I created the piece on a large canvas, rotating it on my worktable and painting one side at a time, even starting upside down, letting the process guide the composition. The image was inspired by a photograph I took during a birthday visit to the Botanical Gardens in Clemson.
At the center of the canvas blooms a single camellia, a flower native to the Southeast, bursting in a bold, vibrant red. The enlarged, close-up view draws viewers in, encouraging them to pause and take in every curve and contour, exploring the delicate details that bring it to life. The composition celebrates the flower’s natural elegance and presence, reflecting the modernist approach of magnifying nature to reveal its quiet power and beauty.
ALSO AVAILABLE IN PRINTS FROM THE EASEL
“CAROLINA MARSH 1, 2, & 3”
…the series…
ON THE EASEL:
24” x 36” gallery-wrapped oil painting originals — available for purchase in the shop!
“TRUST”
I took this photo of my daughter on NYE 2021.
She was the only one out in the ocean, other than guys in wetsuits. She showed some strong determination! Her generation will display great strength and trust in God. They will be bold world changers.“For I am yours and you are mine.”
Click the link for the finished piece!!
PUMPKIN SEASON!
Simple white pumpkin on a black background! I always love black and white! The original is 8 x 10 and is unframed for $100. I also have 8 x 10 prints on fine art paper for $25.
ON THE EASEL:
Beach Boardwalk
Watch me paint below:
I’ve been really drawn to all things beachy and coastal lately — as you can probably tell!
Check out CAROLINA CALM and SIDE BY SIDE.
Both prints are available.
Carolina Calm
