Jane Wheeler's "In the Back of My Mind (May Garden)" presents a vibrant, intimate portrayal of a domestic garden space captured in full spring bloom. This substantial oil on canvas (124 x 93.5 cm framed) employs a distinctive pink ground that suffuses the composition with warmth and emotional resonance. Wheeler's expressive brushwork brings to life the lush profusion of plants—purple alliums, yellow blooms, and climbing foliage—against the structured elements of garden life: a lattice fence, garden tools leaning casually against the wall, and a metal watering can. The artist masterfully balances spontaneity and observation, creating a scene that feels both deeply personal and universally recognisable as a cherished private sanctuary.

The Transformative Power of Domestic Gardens
This painting celebrates the quiet significance of personal garden spaces, inviting viewers to recall their own connections with cultivated nature. When displayed on a wall, the work's generous scale and vivid palette create a window-like effect, bringing the vitality and optimism of a spring garden indoors regardless of season or setting. Wheeler's approach transforms an everyday subject into something extraordinary—the familiar tools and beloved plants becoming emblems of care, creativity, and the passage of time. The painting offers a contemplative presence in any room, its detailed observation of garden life encouraging viewers to notice and appreciate the small wonders in their own environments.