24”x20” (each) mixed media on stretched canvas.

The Guardians (Diptych) was inspired by a neighbor's house featuring a towering candlestick plant adorned with trumpet-shaped flowers. Adjacent to this, another neighbor's yard boasts a pair of guardian fu dogs—stone lion statues believed to offer protection and symbolize strength and courage. I envisioned these guardians nestled within the overgrown candlestick garden, standing watch over the vibrant flora.

In this piece, I hand-stitched silk flowers and utilized fabric and paper to construct the plants, bringing texture and depth to the composition. The fu dogs were painted to capture their regal and protective presence. Together, the diptych explores themes of guardianship, nature, and the harmonious coexistence of the manmade and natural worlds.

This piece is in a private collection.