Ranunculus and Yangzhou Toile

 2025  Oil on Panel 18" x 24" Custom gold frame At 10 years old, my first foray into sewing began with a kid-sized sewing machine and a bundle of Laura Ashley patchwork pieces from their King’s Road store. I still remember the thrill of choosing my favorite pack from a big basket filled with different patterns — and the delight of bringing home a hefty catalog of their full fabric collection from 1992. I must have spent countless hours poring over those pages, dreaming up all the things I could make. Painting has become such a wonderful way to weave together many of the things I’ve loved since then. These still life pieces, especially with their patterned backgrounds, have been on my creative wish list for years. My 10-year-old self would’ve been over the moon at the idea of recreating any pattern I liked — in paint! While I may not be able to redecorate my house in Schumacher prints, I can paint whatever design I fancy. It’s a total joy-ride in the paintbox — and a happy nod to those