Skull and Flowers

16×12-inch print reproduction of a colored-pencil and graphite drawing, reprinted on matte archival paper, 2018.

This was a commissioned piece which, at the time, was a departure from my usual subject matter. I almost turned it down, but I'm glad I didn't because it became one of my most striking pieces.

The neutral bone color of the skull and black background set off the floral colors. The delicate flowers add softness and life against the hard bone and macabre grinning skull. Together, they remind us of the eternal rhythms of life and death.