Untarnished

24 × 36 inches · Oil on Canvas · Original Painting Untarnished was inspired by a lotus-filled pond near my home—a place I return to not only as an artist, but as a steward. Each season, American lotus rise through water marked by debris and neglect, unfurling broad green leaves and pale blooms that shelter wildlife, filter the water, and quietly restore balance. What draws me to these flowers is their integrity. The lotus does not deny its environment, yet it is not defined by it. Despite what surrounds them, these plants remain generous—offering food, shade, and refuge to birds, insects, and aquatic life. They create beauty and abundance without becoming hardened or diminished. This painting reflects a belief that purity is not about isolation, but about relationship. That care, attention, and persistence can hold something whole even in imperfect conditions. This pond, its plants, its wildlife, and the people who tend and walk alongside it are part of a shared system—each responsible