Size: 24x30"Title:"Tomato Soup Valentine" Catalog No: LW020526 What is this collection about? The Long Way Back is a collection of floral paintings built from paint, collage, memory, mischief, and years of mother-child adventures. Hidden inside these bouquets are scraps of my children’s drawings, crayon scribbles, strange little creatures, doodles, and marks made directly on the paintings themselves. Despite earning a BFA and spending years immersed in the academic study of color theory, composition, and the formal principles of painting, my children continually remind me of a far more essential truth: art is meant to feel alive. Kids do not worry about whether a flower is anatomically correct or if a painting feels “resolved.” They make things boldly, instinctively, and with complete delight. Over the years, I began saving pieces of their artwork and layering them into my own paintings, allowing their fearless energy to interrupt my aesthetic control. The result is work that feels more honest, more joyful, and more human. This collection is, in many ways, what happens when the paintings finally remembered they were allowed to have fun. It’s taking the long way back to wonder, play, and making things simply because it feels good to do so. As Picasso famously said, “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” Materials & PresentationThis original artwork is created using acrylic paint and layered collage on deep-edge canvas. The surface features rich texture and may incorporate a variety of materials, including paper, fabric, and fragments of my children’s artwork. The painted edges provide a clean, finished presentation, allowing the piece to be displayed without framing. For collectors who prefer a framed presentation, standard canvas float frames are widely available online. The artwork arrives ready to hang, professionally wired on the reverse with durable D-rings for secure installation. Please NoteThis painting has been sealed with multiple coats of UV-protective varnish to help preserve the surface and color integrity over time. However, as with all original artwork, it is recommended that the piece be displayed away from prolonged direct sunlight to ensure optimal longevity. FREE SHIPPING TODAY Shipping & Handling:At this time, shipping is available within the 48 contiguous U.S. states (sorry international friends!). Your art will ship via UPS Ground within 3–5 business days of purchase and should arrive roughly a week after it hits the road. Heads-up: No PO Boxes, please! UPS won’t deliver to them, and I won’t ship original artwork through USPS. If you only have a PO Box, please use a trusted friend or family member’s street address instead. I appreciate your understanding! A few more notes: All sales are final, so I’m unable to offer refunds or exchanges. Thank you for understanding and supporting original artwork. Please double-check your shipping address before placing your order. I’m unable to edit or combine shipping details after checkout, so if you’d like pieces shipped together, be sure to order them together. I’m not able to hold shipments for birthdays or specific delivery dates. My goal is always to get these florals packed up and on their way to you as quickly (and safely) as possible.
