Bloom in the Dark: Inspired by My Children
A New Limited Edition Print: Bloom In the Dark
Sometimes my doodles reveal just how much my children inspire me. Bloom in the Dark began as a doodle in my sketchbook and turned into a full oil pastel painting. It wasn't until after I finished it that I realized where it came from. Currently both of my children (5 & 8) are battling fears of being in the dark. I probably don't need to say anymore, it's obviously just an outgrowth if the love and reassurance I try to share with them about being safe in the dark. For me it also has the theme of being a light in the darkness.
Why This Piece Works So Well in a Child's Space
When I saw this painting mocked up in a lavender playroom recently, surrounded by soft toys and a little table set for pretend tea, it clicked immediately, this piece belongs in spaces made for children just as much as it belongs in a quiet reading nook or bedroom. A few reasons why:
The color palette is playful without being juvenile. Deep navy, soft lavender, and warm gold work beautifully in a nursery or playroom without tipping into "kids' decor" cliché. It's a piece that can grow with a child, from nursery to bedroom to teenage years, without feeling outgrown.
The subject matter is gentle and reassuring. Flowers glowing at night is a comforting image, not a scary one. It's the kind of art that can sit above a bed or reading corner and add warmth rather than stimulation right before sleep.
It sparks conversation and imagination. Kids notice color and pattern before anything else. A piece like this can become a little anchor for bedtime stories about stars, gardens, or things that shine in the dark.
Why a High Quality Print Matters in These Spaces
Kids' rooms and play areas go through a lot, changing hands, tape on the walls, the occasional sticky fingerprint. It might seem like a "good enough" print is fine for a space like this, but I'd actually argue the opposite: a high quality print matters more here, not less.
Archival materials last through years of little hands and changing light. My prints are made on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Giclée paper, which holds color and texture far better over time than a lower grade print, so it won't fade or yellow as quickly under a sunny playroom window.
A well made piece feels like an investment in the room, not decoration you'll swap out in a year. Because the color palette and subject are gentle rather than trend driven, a piece like Bloom in the Dark can move with a child from toddler years into their bedroom as they grow older.
Framing protects the piece and elevates the space. A solid wood frame from a sustainable source isn't just about aesthetics, it protects the print from humidity, little fingers, and everyday wear in a way a cheap poster frame simply can't.
A Small Piece of Something Bigger
At its heart, Bloom in the Dark is about growth and quiet resilience, themes that run through most of my work. But it's also, in its own way, a piece about childhood: the wonder of finding light in the dark, the comfort of something beautiful staying steady while everything around it changes.
If you're decorating a nursery, playroom, or a child's bedroom and want something that feels a little more considered than typical kids' decor, I hope this piece finds its way to your walls.