“Joy was not made to be a crumb.” - Mary Oliver

Oh Mary Oliver, you are so wise! This colorful explosion of a piece plays with the idea that we mustn’t settle for a version of joy that is small and safe and contained in glass. (Though I must say the little glass flower in the vase brings me quite a lot of joy!) We can, instead, occupy a world of joy that is always blooming in and around us, filled with sparkles and juicy berries and rich, fiery colors.

The paper petals were cut out of thin mat board which I painted first with an array of colors and textures. When I realized they were too stiff for the look I wanted, I painstakingly peeled the acrylic paint and one thin layer of paper off of each individual petal. And voila! They had just the right amount of curl!

Box:  10 x10x2 cradled board

Materials: vintage doll head, glass vase with flower inside, faux berries, rubber ring, ceramic dish, assorted sequins, wire, and beads, painted papers