Séraphine de Senlis (1864-1942) is one artist whose works I return frequently. Her story as a modest housekeeper struggling with mental illness and the way she painted–alone, fervently, after working all day, by candlelight–really speak to me. But even more than that, her use of color and botanical shapes and textures are remarkable. Her paintings portray a sense of either humor or shock, or both, depending on the viewer’s starting point. As gardener and plant nerd, I notice some of the little things that seem “off” about the flowers, leaves, and fruits she portrays–and I love it.
Below are a few of the tributes to Séraphine that I have completed over the years. While she used oils, all of mine are done in acrylic.
Frog on the Porch 