By Natella Libin
This acrylic painting, First Bloom in the Backyard, was inspired by one of those magical moments that marks the arrival of spring. The reference for this piece came from a photo I took in my backyard of my magnolia tree, just as one of its first blooms opened for the season. There's something so special about those early blossoms—their promise of renewal and beauty after a long winter. I’ve always been drawn to the magnolia’s huge, sculptural flowers and how their soft, creamy petals contrast so beautifully with the crunchy texture of the surrounding foliage.
In creating this piece, I wanted to capture both the delicacy and boldness of the magnolia bloom. The petals were painted with layered, smooth strokes to convey their velvety texture and subtle light, while I used more textured brushwork for the foliage to bring out its crisp, tactile quality. The acrylic medium and the canvas allowed me to play with contrasts—soft and hard, light and shadow, smooth and rough—mirroring the complexity and beauty of the magnolia itself. For me, this painting is a celebration of nature’s resilience and its ability to surprise us with moments of wonder, even in our own backyards.
Click below to shop Natella's Collection
Comentarios