Inspiration comes from simple, everyday objects combined with my garden flowers. This composition originally had just brushes and I decided to liven it up a bit with brightly colored flowers. Fresh flowers always inspire me because they are fresh and bold and add interest to the design. I actually began this series of artists’ materials about eight years ago.

After setting up the still life, I photographed it from different angles. I erased some of the brushes and drew the rudbeckias from life, adding them to the glasses. I begin painting by wetting just the area I will be working in. Recently I switched to using a 300# paper because it does not buckle and can be reworked, and adding glazes gives it depth.