The Future is Looking Bright – Aloe, Desert Botanical Garden
22×28 Oil on Canvas

I spotted this beautiful aloe sending up its glorious bloom while photographing at the Desert Botanical Garden this spring.  It was an irresistible sight, so I began planning a painting right away. Now that the painting is finished, I see all sorts of symbolism within the composition. You see, it is graduation season here in the southwest, and I am watching kids I’ve known all their lives don their caps and gowns and head out into the world.  Including my kiddo, and it’s surreal.  The days were long, but the years were short.  Like the aloe using its energy to send up its bloom, protected within the plant, then later, high and bright for all to see, so are we sending out our children.

So, class of 2017, congratulations, we will be watching.