An Iris for Marilynn was created as a tribute to my mentor, whose guidance shaped not only my approach to watercolor but also the way I see the world. After her passing, I wanted to create a painting that honored both her artistic influence and her spirit. Purple—her favorite color—became the natural choice, embodied in the iris, a flower long associated with faith, hope, and wisdom. Those qualities reflect the encouragement and generosity she shared throughout her life and the lasting impact she left on mine.
Resting quietly on the iris is a small slug, a symbol of patience, resilience, vulnerability, and the quiet strength found in slow, steady progress. Its presence is a reminder that growth rarely happens all at once. Artistic development, like healing after loss, unfolds gradually through persistence and reflection.
The painting incorporates techniques my mentor encouraged me to explore. I began by placing leaves gathered from my yard onto hot press watercolor paper, creating natural resist patterns that echo the organic rhythms of the landscape. Watercolor was then poured through paper towels and left overnight, allowing gravity, absorption, and time to shape the surface with soft blooms and unexpected textures. Working on hot press paper enhanced these delicate transitions, preserving luminous washes and expressive backruns that became an integral part of the composition rather than simply a background.
By combining intentional design with the unpredictable nature of watercolor, this painting embraces the balance between control and surrender—a lesson my mentor continually reinforced. Every layer carries traces of her influence, making this work not only a portrait of an iris, but also a celebration of a professor whose wisdom continues to bloom through the artists she inspired.
