Florilegia means "a gathering of flowers" in Latin.

This series of floral illuminations was inspired by the Vanitas of Dutch Golden Age Masters and early botanicals but specifically grows out of the Victorian language of flowers. To the Victorians, each flower conveyed a specific meaning such as, faith, hope or fidelity. I explore these references in my mixed media assemblage paintings. Each work contains an antique, hand colored, magic lantern slide which is built into the canvas covered board and illuminated from behind. Onto this base I’ve layered elements of collage, found objects, paint and pattern, creating visual and conceptual depth. At times whimsical and reaching, these paintings are a playful expression of a flower’s spirit as seen through a kaleidoscope of associated meanings and symbolism.

The pomegranate blossom means mature elegance in Victorian floral language. That concept is eluded to in this Florilegium with the fruiting of the French wallpaper design and the fecund dispersal of seed. The grenade, derived from the Latin word for pomegranate, and the Persian custom go placing pomegranate seeds between the lips of the departed hint at an ultimate maturity.