Acrylic on canvas.

12 × 24 × 1 in. (30.5 × 60.1 × 2.5 cm)

In the heart of central California, the stark beauty of a dried-up poppy flower takes center stage, embodying both fragility and resilience. This artwork captures the intricate details of the delicate petals, highlighting the natural allure that once thrived across the golden landscapes of the state. Climate change has cast a long shadow over these vibrant blooms, contributing to their decline and the overall diminishing of wildflower diversity. By illustrating the fading colors and wear of the petals, it communicates a broader message about our responsibility as stewards of the environment. The stark reality is that if we do not act, the only thing left to remind us of California's wildflower majesty may be paintings like this one.