Rachel Perls says, “Peonies were my first love, then I discovered dahlias. I’m completely smitten and transfixed. I love painting them really really big, zoomed-in, and exploding off the edges of the canvas. I'm attracted to their vibrant colors, swirling twirling petals, and that glowing translucent quality that continues to befuddle me. On a deeper level, as I'm learning to take up space in the world, these dominant, massive blossoms mirror my inner journey as we evolve together.”

Reina , a diptych in oil paints spanning 48x72”, burst onto the canvas fully-developed: strong, regal, confident, expansive. Featured is a single, tightly cropped dahlia flower rendered in violets, magenta, and fuchsia, juxtaposed against creamy yellows and little hints of ripe chartreuse green. This piece was selected to be included in The de Young Museum Open 2023. On display from September 30, 2023- January 7, 2024.

48” x 72” oil on two canvases, unframed