The Croton Series

Growing up we were very close to my mother’s sister; she was like a second mum to me. She and her husband had a beautiful home with large gardens and it was where our family celebrated many occasions. For as long as I could remember, there had been a beautiful plant thriving in her front bay window. It had large, sturdy, colourful leaves and as a child or youth I hadn’t seen one like it anywhere else.

My relationship with plants began when I was in elementary school. Lucky to have my own bedroom, the window sill was full of plants and it was a comfort to me to care for them and watch them grow. It was probably my aunt who taught me to appreciate plants (and gardening) and now my own home is spotted with indoor plants, including a croton; the large, sturdy, plant with colourful leaves. The croton reminds me of my gentle and gracious aunt and so I created art, inspired by it. 

During the development of this series, Sharlena Wood was still encouraging and nurturing me as my art-life coach; nudging me to push further, and encouraging me to stretch and grow. This series was created during covid, checking in online with Sharlena, along the way.

6 x 6” ink and pastel on paper

10 x 7” watercolour and pastel on paper

6 x 8” coloured pencil and pastel on paper

10 x 10” acrylic ink and colour pencil on paper

8 x 8” soft pastel on Mi-Tientes paper

10 x 10” soft pastel on Mi-Tientes paper

14 x 17” mixed media on paper

13 x 16” mixed media on watercolour paper

14 x 17 mixed media on paper

20 x 20” charcoal on Aches Textwove paper