I love how these paintings come together, often the teacup is the inspirational launching point, but this time I had spotted a Townsend's Warbler in my neighbor's camellias and while photographing it (such a shy bird) I began to imagine what flower might suit its sweet masked face… and knew right away that it had to be the black and yellow striped petunia which I picked up in one of my local nurseries, and finding a matching teacup turned to be a cinch on ebay - a Royal Standard bone china classic from England! When I discovered the Victorian meaning of the petunia was "your presence soothes me", I thought of the mourning jewelry I've been quietly obsessed with as of late and included a braided hair locket in my vignette. Of course, it wasn't complete until I had a backdrop worked out and my yellow cotton dress with black and white feather embroidery seemed perfect. I've framed the painting in a sculptural, undulating black frame with a rich patina. I liked this combination so much, I went on to paint a matching Petunia Tea II!