JULIE ANN STEVENS

I just love the first magnolia buds — and in 2013 they told a richer longer story as they appeared and —

Hung on —

Held back —

And held fast —

Through the on-and off-slaughts of a very flaky Minnesota spring.

My intention was to make this bud hold mystery like a chrysalis does —

And my layering was in the name of the kind of waiting, containment and endurance that allows a brilliant release.

The “floor” of sunny yellow is meant as a promise and the foliage has tones of gold to convey that this time has been granted through —

Pure grace.