While visiting Moore Gardens outside Lake City, SC early this summer, some vibrant purple blossoms peeking from under lush green leaves caught my eye. They were small gems hiding in there. Then the violet morning glories burst open in my own garden here in Charleston—just for a few days before the heat wilted them. I HAD to snap multiple pics on my phone both times. Topping off the violet splendor were the lilacs and pansies blooming at my brother's home in Ohio when we visited in June—both planted as a tender reminder of love.

The result of these eye-candy popping pics are a new series of abstract floral paintings I created once back in my studio. I've always been drawn to the color purple for its combination of passionate, fiery red and calming steady blue. What a perfect mix of strength and emotion! Paired with green and lemon yellow, I love the palette as much as I love the "message" these flowers convey— joy and wonder in the moment, appreciation for dedication and care, and faithful remembrance each season.

Sections of each in the photo from left to right: "Arms Wide As The Sky" 30x15, "Ride the Blue" 30x15, "Summersweet" 16x40, and "Sweet Like Candy" 16x40.