Carol Dawson Portfolio Box

Poppy Studies, 2020, $3000

I am fascinated by the surprises of shape and color that burst out of poppy buds. The petals that unfurl from their silver-fur cases offer a range of silks that all contain, deep inside their hearts, an astonishing architecture. Those centers--brown, golden, purple-black, sage--don't resemble those of any other flower that I've ever seen.

The buds are like butterfly chrysalises. They may all seem to be the same shade of green, but the mysteries they promise keep me staring and waiting until the 'pop' springs them open. Once the blooms reveal themselves, the results often remind me of fashion designers' evening gowns, many of which were, in turn, inspired by famous paintings. So in a sense, I'm painting the full circle of visual and textural connection when I make these poppy portraits.

Watercolor Suite comes in handmade engraved clamshell box with museum gloves and artist statement.