Resilience Flowers (No. 1–4)

The Resilience Flowers series was a limited run of hand-cut paper flowers, each created in an edition of 10. The depicted flowers are native California plants that thrive despite the odds—fitting symbols of the amazing strength of our communities. 100% of proceeds from each sale were donated to organizations and relief efforts helping vulnerable populations in the Bay Area, with all sales from the first two weeks of sales matched by the artist.

The Beach Primrose (Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia) symbolizes happiness and warmth, which is pretty incredible when you consider that this plant grows in the harsh winds and nutrient-scarce sands of open sand dunes. I think the yellow blooms are a beautiful symbol of hope for those who are struggling through these difficult times.

$100 from the sale of each Beach Primrose was donated to Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Coronavirus Regional Response Fund. This fund provided support throughout the Bay Area for low-income individuals and families, healthcare and gig workers, residents without health insurance or sick days, people with limited English proficiency, and communities of color.

Sea thrifts (Armeria maritima californica) symbolize sympathy. It’s easy to overlook the tiny plants, but they add a blanket of softness and warm color to California’s cold and windy coastal cliffs. I think there’s a connection between the flower’s supportive role and what our local organizations like United Way of the Bay Area are doing to support both people and the systems that make aid possible.

$100 from the sale of each Sea Thrift was donated to United Way of the Bay Area COVID-19 Community Relief Fund. This fund provided 2-1-1 information and referral, technology infrastructure, direct assistance funds, and worker support.

California’s state flower (Eschscholzia californica) is a reminder of all the public services that enrich my life. I find them (both the flowers and the services) everywhere I go. But since I can’t go out to patronize my public libraries, parks, MUNI transit system, and other city services that I love during the pandemic, I want to support my local government’s efforts to help its citizens.

$100 from the sale of each California Poppy was donated to the City and County of San Francisco’s Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. This fund provided shelter, food, and other assistance to individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofits in San Francisco.

Penstemons symbolize knowledge and understanding, so what better flower than the Scarlet Bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius) to symbolize the gifts of public media? I grew up watching KQED’s documentaries, educational programming, and cooking shows and it remains my favorite television channel. I still cannot believe the quality of the journalism, programming, and services they provide as a nonprofit. Their Coronavirus Live Updates page is both beautiful and filled with accurate, trustworthy information of what’s happening in the Bay Area every hour.

$100 from the sale of each Scarlet Bugler was donated to KQED to support their important work of providing COVID updates to the Bay Area during the pandemic.