STORY BEHIND THE ART OF KAREN KLUGLEIN

Wildly Exquisite: Florida’s Native Plants

Rose Mallow

Hibiscus moscheutos

A favorite location of mine on the eastern end of Long Island is a remote beach in Montauk that my family calls the “secret spot,” where large-blossomed rose mallow grows wild in the dunes. I painted this using a photo reference of the wild mallow as well as a hybridized mallow plant being sold at a local nursery.

In spite of the wonderful reference I had at my disposal, this painting was one of the more difficult I have worked on. I believe this is because the delicate mallow petals are large and flat in contrast to the more layered flowers I am used to working with. In the end, the large petals perfectly complement the daintier buds making for a truly wild and exquisite specimen.

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Read more about this artist’s work: 22nd Annual