Magnolia began as a monochrome study—an exercise in light, shadow, and volume when I needed my hands to do the thinking. I started it in fall 2024 and finished it months later, as spring returned. That timeline is part of the work: patience, repetition, and the quiet discipline of showing up.

I think of magnolias as tougher than they look—thick petals, clean scent, resilience without noise. This painting is a reminder that beauty isn’t only the result of joy; sometimes it’s what keeps you afloat until joy returns.