Hermosa Beach Birds Of Paradise, 2026

Gouache on paper
5.5 × 8.75 in. (14.0 × 22.2 cm)
Unframed

From the artist's studio, 2026

2026.094.023

$600 + $25 shipping in the US

Subject

Birds of paradise in flower, seen close against dark foliage, with four blooms open and the long blade leaves fanning out around them.

Composition

Upright and filled to every edge — there is no sky, no ground plane and no distance. The leaves radiate from the lower left and the flowers are spaced up the diagonal they make, each one turned a different way.

Palette

The most contrasted on the wall: cadmium orange and yellow in the flowers with a stroke of violet-blue at each tongue, set against greens running from near-black to a cold mint. A warm sand ground shows at the lower right.

Handling

Each leaf is one long confident stroke, loaded and tapering, with a lighter line drawn along its spine. The flowers are built from separate petal strokes with no outline holding them.

Medium and support

Gouache on paper. Matte and opaque, the pale leaf spines laid solid over the dark greens. Unpainted margins all round.

Signature

Along the lower edge, raypatrick, in red over the sand, letters widely spaced.

From the artist:

I was walking to the gym down PCH Highway when this giant plant caught my eye. The vibrant oranges, reds, and deep greens brought me to a stand still. I knew I would have to return to paint it, and I did. Such beauty, tucked away when i was on my way.