'Philodendrons In Terra Cotta #1,’ connects back to my childhood in New Orleans, where philodendrons were always around. I am especially reminded of my grandparents' house, where they grew in the side yard where we played and they felt like quiet protectors. When I moved back home and bought a house, they were the first plants I put in my own garden. This piece comes from close-up photos I took of these familiar 'friends,' acknowledging their consistent presence in my life.
For this larger piece, I wanted to take on the challenge of the square format and fill it completely, creating an immersive feeling. The leaves take up the entire frame, with their stems seeming to push out from the center, giving a sense of everything radiating outwards. The color palette primarily uses just a few muted, natural greens, layered to create depth and visual separation among the shapes. But there’s one saturated, chartreuse green that makes certain leaves really pop and defines the overall tone of the piece.
The palette extends to the hint of a second plant in the background, bringing in more distinct personalities, alongside a subtle teal hose that provides some unexpected contrast against the pots. The split leaves of the plant naturally lend themselves to being dramatic, with their prominent stems looking like starbursts, creating a scene that is both energetic and calming.
