"SPRING FORWARD" by Ashwini Bharathula

This painting won 'Award of Excellence' at the 2026 Oil Painters of America National Salon. I really enjoyed painting these 'Lady Gardener' and 'Teasing Georgia' English roses from my yard, set against a contrasting cerulean background fabric. I wanted to maintain a painterly feel, adding abstract shapes to the background to bring harmony to the entire piece. My husband, who grows these roses for me, named it Spring Forward. One of my personal favorites this season!