Lilacs Desire – 14″ x 11″ Oil on panel
There’s something about lilacs in May that stops me in my tracks. Their scent, their abundance, their fleeting beauty—it all feels like a love letter from spring. This painting, Lilacs Desire, is one of two I created in response to the generous blooms from an old lilac tree that’s been part of my landscape for decades.
I began with a sketch, a quiet study to help me connect with the subject. The act of drawing allows me to really see—shape, rhythm, weight, and gesture. That early sketch becomes a conversation starter, a way to better understand what I might want to express when I move to the canvas.
The final painting came together with a looser hand and a lighter spirit. There’s simplicity in the way it resolved, but also a sense of fullness. The white pitcher added a grounded counterpoint. The gentle tilt of the green apple enhanced the soft explosion of blooms. For me, the piece holds a sense of longing and presence all at once—like the lilacs themselves, beautiful and brief.
I’ve included a few additional views of Lilacs Desire below—from different angles and framed—to give you a better feel for how it carries light and color. The painting has a soft, refreshing presence that works beautifully in both vintage-inspired and contemporary settings.
Styling Ideas for : Lilacs Desire
- I love the idea of placing it where fresh flowers might typically go.
- Near a kitchen nook, a reading corner, or layered into a gallery wall with other seasonal pieces.
- A simple white frame helps elevate the palette while keeping the overall mood relaxed and contemporary.
To learn more about Lilacs Desire, including details on the piece and its availability reach out here Contact Me.
Categories: Flowers, Nature, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, Still Life
CATHERINE J MARTZLOFF / Bright and Expressive Original Oil Paintings 
Your rich, flat color with strong boundaries is wonderful and nicely done!
Thank you Sarah! I appreciate that compliment. Catherine
Beautiful! You are way ahead of us. Trees are only this week beginning to show leaves. Lilacs will bloom in June.
Thank you! I wish they lasted longer… I feel that way about most of the spring blooms. It’s been a bit cooler so they do seem to be lingering a bit longer. : )