My friend Jen took this photo of me at the reception for "Nature Abounds" (show at the Chesapeake Framing Co in Kensington, MD). My top matched my art well and I got a bunch of compliments (on both the top and my art). There were great conversations and much laughter. And I believe this laughter is a direct result of the work I have been doing for the past several months. Why I create my Healing Gardens? About a year ago, my head was buzzing with ideas: ones I was not really happy with. Some personal matters needed to be healed and I navigated my inner life, I kept thinking about my beloved grandmother. She was always excited to see me and her other grandkids. Her presence was calming and encouraging at the same time.
I went through some photographs of her garden in Prague, Czech Republic, where I grew up. There were roses and peonies. Beautiful walnut and apple trees. Carrots. Potatoes. Strawberries. Peas. The images kept helping me: my thoughts would race less and I started channeling my grandmother's care through floral art. A visit to Hillwood with a friend resulted in purchasing acrylic markers at the gift shop. When I got home that day, the first Healing Garden was born. I am currently working on Healing Garden #95 and I can't even begin to tell you about how much joy and healing this body of creative work has brought into my life.
I went through some photographs of her garden in Prague, Czech Republic, where I grew up. There were roses and peonies. Beautiful walnut and apple trees. Carrots. Potatoes. Strawberries. Peas. The images kept helping me: my thoughts would race less and I started channeling my grandmother's care through floral art. A visit to Hillwood with a friend resulted in purchasing acrylic markers at the gift shop. When I got home that day, the first Healing Garden was born. I am currently working on Healing Garden #95 and I can't even begin to tell you about how much joy and healing this body of creative work has brought into my life.
My Healing Garden paintings celebrate the emotional sanctuary a garden provides—a space of joy, wonder, and safety. Each artwork combines vivid colors with intricate patterns to evoke a sense of beauty and restfulness. What began as a personal reflection has now blossomed into lively chats with family, friends, and neighbors, about what gardens mean to them—transforming memory into shared connection and healing. And definitely fewer buzzing thoughts!
Caring people and beautiful nature are powerful and life-affirming aspects of our lives. I have a photo of my grandmother in my living room and always smile right back when I catch a glimpse of her. Thank you, grandma! P.S. She would not really enjoy having her image shared but I want to celebrate my deep love for this lovely lady. And you know, grandkids sometimes misbehave :) Here she is!
Caring people and beautiful nature are powerful and life-affirming aspects of our lives. I have a photo of my grandmother in my living room and always smile right back when I catch a glimpse of her. Thank you, grandma! P.S. She would not really enjoy having her image shared but I want to celebrate my deep love for this lovely lady. And you know, grandkids sometimes misbehave :) Here she is!
