The Story of “Garden Party” — Now Available on Anthropologie.com

My second print with Anthropologie is now live in their shop. Crazy. I’m so thankful to share this news.

I made this painting, “Garden Party,” three and a half years ago, in the summer of 2021. Today, I was reflecting on the process of making this piece because it’s been so long!

This was one of the first paintings I made after settling into my first official studio. We (mostly) finished renovating our house, my days of freelance design came to a close, and I was all-in on my dream to become a full-time artist.

It was a season that kind of felt like standing on the edge of a diving board. Even though I was excited to take my artwork seriously, it still felt like a big risk. I remember fighting some serious doubts and insecurities during that season.

“What if no one wants this?” was the vulnerable and scary question I had to constantly push from my mind in those early days of painting with consistency.

In defiance of the doubts, I’m glad I kept painting in that season.

I remember finishing “Garden Party,” in particular, and feeling so proud of how it turned out—even more proud when someone wanted to call it theirs.

The name for this piece was inspired by my sister’s flower garden, which she was tending in my backyard that summer. She often let me pick arrangements to enjoy in my studio (one of them is pictured here with the original painting). I was so thankful for the simple joy these colorful flowers brought to the space – grateful for how God speaks through nature.

I wanted to share some backstory to this painting because there’s always more to a simple piece of artwork. The emotions and experiences that embed themselves into the layers of a painting aren’t always shared by the artist.

I hope this piece – this print – can offer reminders that no season lasts forever and that God has good plans for your life. I could never have imagined this painting would end up where it has – I was simply hoping someone would buy it – but God has a way of surprising us, and his plans are always sweeter than my own.