"Good Morning, Green Cup with Dahlias" by Mary McDonald radiates cheerful spontaneity through bold, expressive brushwork and a vibrant colour palette. This intimate mixed media work on panel (15 x 21 cm) presents a still life subject—pink dahlias arranged in a green cup—rendered with confident, gestural strokes rather than precise detail. McDonald employs thick, textural paint application, creating a tactile quality that emphasises the physicality of the medium. The composition balances warm pink florals against the cool turquoise and green elements, all set against a neutral brown background that allows the colours to sing with particular vibrancy.

Bringing Nature Indoors
The painting transforms a simple domestic moment into a celebration of colour and form, demonstrating McDonald's skill in finding beauty in everyday objects. When displayed in a home setting, this small but impactful piece brings an immediate sense of freshness and vitality to any wall. Its contemporary approach to the traditional still life genre makes it particularly versatile, complementing both modern and traditional interiors whilst creating a focal point that draws the eye with its joyful energy. The modest scale creates an intimate viewing experience, inviting closer inspection of the artist's intuitive mark-making and sophisticated use of colour relationships.